Two defibrillators have been stolen from a north-east town.
The community accessible equipment was believed to have been taken some time between September 26 and October 10.
One was located adjacent to the ATM at the Tesco store, Newtonhill Road, and the other was close to the pharmacy at Old Mill Road.
Police said CCTV is being sourced locally and an extensive inquiry is ongoing to trace the units.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has been contacted and confirmed there has been no stated usage of these items between the dates in question.
Investigating officer constable Marc Camus said: “These are reckless acts of theft that have the potential to cause fatalities through misuse or from the equipment being deprived from the people in the community it is there to serve. They have no other material function and I know how much time and effort went into the fund-raising to obtain these crucial life-saving devices.
“Our inquiries are at an early stage and I would encourage anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in either area, or anyone who has information about where the devices might be, to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.”
