One of Moray’s most picturesque coastal villages has been rocked by a spate of vandalism.
It is understood that roughly £3,500 worth of property has been damaged in three separate incidents during the past few weeks in Cullen.
Residents in the quiet seaside community said the trouble was the most worrying they have experienced in years.
One woman, who owns a house that was targeted earlier this week, revealed she was growing increasingly concerned as the attack followed two similar acts of destruction in August.
The sitting room window of the Castle Terrace home was cracked by a stone at 8.15pm on Tuesday night, while her daughter was inside the property.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “The sitting room window is double-glazed and the stone has broken the first pane, but the whole unit will need replaced.
“My daughter was through in another room at the time, but it gave her a nasty shock.
“I have lived in Cullen for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like this before.
She added that the cost of the damage was yet to be evaluated by a joiner, but that the “inconvenience” caused had been aggravating.
The first of the three recent incidents took place late last month when a school bus, parked at Cullen Golf Club, was targeted.
Operator Deveron Coaches confirmed the vehicle suffered about £3,000 worth of damage when its windscreen and skylight were smashed and a wing mirror was broken.
Investigating officers have estimated the crime took place between 4pm on Friday, August 19, and 7.30am on Monday, August 22.
That same weekend, a bus shelter in the village square was smashed – which will cost hundreds of pounds to repair.
Locals said they heard the sound of glass smashing and people running away at about 2am on Saturday, August 21.
Keith and Cullen councillor, Ron Shepherd, condemned the “mindless” acts and raised fears they could give tourists a poor impression of the scenic spot.
He said: “We don’t want visitors seeing these smashed-up windows and bus shelters.
“I really can’t understand the people who do something like this, it’s mindless and reflects badly on the village.”
Police have urged anyone with information on the crimes to contact them on 101.
