Alford ATM raid police appeal over stolen white van

Police probing a failed attempt to steal a cash machine in Aberdeenshire have appealed for information about a stolen white van.

Officers were alerted to the incident at the Co-op in Mart Road in Alford at about 06:40 on Thursday.

The machine sustained extensive damage.

Police believe that a white Ford Transit Connect van reported stolen from the Kildrummy area of Alford could be linked. It was recovered in the Braemar area.

Det Insp Norman Stevenson, who is leading the investigation, said: "There has been well-publicised incidents in the north east in recent years whereby a number of ATMs were targeted.

"Although there are similarities in this case there is nothing to suggest from our enquiries so far that this attempt is linked to any previous incidents.

"It is clear a sustained effort was made to gain entry to the machine, however it was unsuccessful and the person - or persons - responsible left the scene empty-handed.

"In saying this it will obviously cause alarm within the local community and a great deal of inconvenience. I can provide every reassurance that we will use every resource available to us to detect those responsible and we are following several lines of enquiry."