Police are appealing for information after a north-east pharmacy was broken into.
Aberchirder Pharmacy, Travel Clinic and Post Office was closed all of yesterday morning for forensic investigations following the break-in at around 3.10am.
Staff turned up to help secure the premises and assist officers at the scene.
The store was kept closed to the public, with employees meeting customers at the front of the shop to ensure they were still able to receive important medication.
The pharmacy and post office reopened at 1pm after a clean-up operation was completed.
A statement released on the shop’s Facebook page yesterday morning asked people to share an appeal for witnesses.
It stated: “Very sadly, the pharmacy has been broken into overnight.
“Our wonderful staff have been present since the very early hours to secure the premises and assist police inquiries.
“Thank you so much for your assistance and if anyone knows or hears any information that may be useful to the inquiry we’d be very grateful if you would speak with police, who have gone out of their way to be extremely helpful and supportive.
“Staff will be very happy to collect prescriptions or stock on your behalf – we just can’t risk contaminating any evidence left behind.
“Our staff will be a tad sleep-deprived today and we’re extremely grateful to them for staying overnight to ensure everything was safe.
“We’re very lucky to have you all.”
Locals rallied around the pharmacy, with many claiming the incident was an “absolute disgrace”.
Local councillor John Cox last night condemned the “mindless vandalism”.
He said: “Aberchirder is a close, hard working community and we can only hope whoever is responsible, whether an individual or a group, will be identified.
“Why such a vital service or any property is the target of these attacks is beyond belief.
“Maybe they want a reaction, and they’ll get one if they’re identified, but it won’t be one they are proud of.”
A spokesman for the police said it “didn’t appear” that anything was taken during the break-in.
He said: “Police inquiries are continuing following a report of a break-in to a pharmacy in Main Street, Aberchirder at around 3.10am on Thursday.
“Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation should contact officers through 101 quoting reference number 0304 of 10th October.”
