Images of young people “hell bent” on vandalism breaking into a former hospital have been shared online in a bid to shame the culprits into giving themselves up.
The shocking pictures, taken from a CCTV camera at the closed health facility in Maud, show a group of young men parade past the building in an attempt to find a way in.
Police are hunting for the culprits who they said had caused damage that would cost a “significant” sum to repair.
The pictures were released by the site’s owners, Muirden Developments, which is carrying out work to bring the hospital back into use as residential units.
A post on its social media page said there had been “several break-ins and repeated acts of mindless vandalism”.
“They are very organised as they all have torches and even seem to have a blanket so that they can crawl under our Heras fence,” it said.
“Last night, they were so hell bent in getting in that they physically twisted one of our fencing panels in half.
“By entering this building in its current state they are potentially putting their lives at risk.”
One young person, looking directly at the camera, appears to grin as he holds an iPhone up to his face.
Another can be seen with a torch and backpack.
Police appealed for witnesses.
Sergeant Scott Massie said: “Although nothing was stolen, it will cost a significant amount to repair the damage caused.
“I am sure I don’t need to stress that anyone entering a development site is putting themselves in danger.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I would like to assure the public that police take this type of incident very seriously and thank them for their assistance.
“Inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.”
Councillor Jim Ingram branded the vandalism “regrettable” for the tiny community.
Mr Ingram said the building had been left to the elements since its closure in 2008 and that the groups involved in breaking in were risking their lives.
“The last time I was in that building was about 35 years ago, so I can only imagine what kind of condition it is in now,” he said.
“It could well be in a very dangerous condition given the fact it hasn’t had heating or conditioning work. It hasn’t been used for years and it’s regrettable – but it always is whenever vandalism takes place.
“It’s not to be encouraged and it’s especially disappointing in a small place like Maud.”
The B-listed hospital had been sold by the Scottish Government at auction earlier this year.
Its sale came after planning permission to convert the former 135-bed facility into shops and homes had been granted in 2013 but lapsed when no work was ever started.
It sits today boarded up and behind fencing erected by Muirden Developments.
Last night the firm declined to comment further on the incident.
