Police investigate break-ins at Co-op stores

Police are investigating two break-ins at Co-op stores in the Badenoch area of the Highlands.

The first was reported on Newtonmore's Main Street at about 02:45 on Wednesday when three men were spotted in the area before leaving in a white Ford Transit van.

The second incident occurred on Thursday night at about 23:30 on the High Street in Kingussie, with three men in balaclavas and dark clothing spotted in the area.

Police said they were keeping an open mind over whether the incidents were linked.

The van spotted in the first incident was later found abandoned near Aberlour.

One of the men involved in that break-in was described as wearing a dark coloured jumper, a black North Face jacket and a white balaclava.

Det Insp Andy Bilton said: "We'd like to thank members of the community for their assistance so far and would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious to contact us.

"We're also keen to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area that may assist our investigation."

A Co-op statement said there had been an attack on the ATM at the Newtonmore site and its Kingussie store had also been broken into.

"The stores have since reopened to serve the community," it added.

"We urge anyone who may have any information to come forward to police, who are investigating."