POLICE have provided further details on a number of dogs seized this week as part of a "complex investigation" into stolen dogs in Sussex.

Detectives from Crawley descended on a site in Surrey on Tuesday afternoon, supported by the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team.

Teams are now working to establish whether the dogs recovered during the warrant had been stolen.

A 30-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and has been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.

Today, Sussex Police provided an update which revealed that, among the animals recovered, there were spaniel and lurcher type dogs.

The force said that it had initially planned to release images of the animals today, but this has had to be postponed until next week "due to their welfare".

Chief Inspector Steve Biglands of the Rural Crime Team said: "The search of this site is the result of a complex investigation.

"Dogs are a valuable commodity to criminal organisations and whilst the numbers of dogs stolen in Sussex is relatively low, even one is too many.

"Searches are an excellent tool in the fight against dog thieves and where we receive information on the location of stolen dogs, we will take action.

"We are assessing the medical and welfare needs of the dogs we have recovered and now have to undertake the extensive work of identifying them and establishing whether they have been reported as stolen.

"We had previously intended to release photos of the dogs today, Thursday, March 18, but due to their welfare we have had to postpone this until next week - the needs of the dogs must come first.

"If you have lost a Spaniel or Lurcher type dog and wish to contact us please email dogtheft@sussex.pnn.police.uk with your contact details.

"We know for those who have lost a dog this is distressing and you want answers quickly but the email address above is the fastest way to contact us and we have a dedicating team managing this.

"We also respectfully ask that the public do not contact us with offers to rehome the dogs. Our priority is to find any rightful owners if they have been stolen."