Concern that weapons are "in the hands of criminals" after six shotguns were stolen during a burglary at Duchy Agricultural College.

Officers say the burglary in Stoke Climsland, near Callington in south east Cornwall took place in the early hours of Friday, last week.

Several desktop computers and laptops were also stolen – all of them security marked.

Calling the theft of six shotguns from a secure gun cabinet a, "concern", officers say the gun cabinet was removed from the wall and carried to a location around 200m away from the scene. The cabinet door was then forced open and the shotguns were removed.

A police spokesman said: “Naturally we are concerned that shotguns have been stolen and there are now six unauthorised weapons in the hands of criminals. We have begun a full investigation and we are keen to locate these stolen items as quickly as possible.”

“I would urge anyone who is approached with any similar items for sale, where the origin of the items cannot be clearly demonstrated, to contact us straightaway.”

If anyone has information call 101 and quote reference BN/13/166, alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.