Police are investigating after a family-run firm of butchers had their premises vandalised on Friday morning.
J&G Dossett has been based in the Square in Kintore for more than eight years.
But yesterday, staff were shocked when they found broken glass, splattered white paint spilled over the floor and a broken door when they arrived in the morning.
Emma McLean, sales and customer service at J&G Dossett, is the daughter of its current owners.
She said: “There seems to have been no reason for it.
“No-one was hurt and nothing was stolen – so we are counting ourselves lucky as it could have been a great deal worse.
“It seems to have been completely mindless. This kind of behaviour is very unusual for Kintore.”
Despite the shock, the he shop was open for business yesterday, and the people of Kintore did what they could to support the family-run business.
Ms McLean added: “We contacted some local joiners and they came to board up our door first thing and we were able to open up.
“The community has been amazing – we’re all secure and tidied now, though the paint did make such a mess.”
The butchers are looking for anyone with information, or who has CCTV in the area, to contact the police and help them trace who was responsible.
Police last night confirmed the break-in happened some time between the shop closing at 6pm on Thursday and 4.30am yesterday.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
