Police are continuing to investigate the theft of diesel from a north-east humanitarian group.
Peterhead charity, Stella’s Voice, which supports victims of human trafficking in Eastern Europe, was broken into in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The perpetrator damaged a truck which the charity was preparing to send to Moldova to distribute presents and stole a tank of fuel, severing the fuel lines of the vehicle in the process.
Last night, the charity estimated repairs could cost upwards of £700.
And Mark Morgan, the European director of the charity, said: “The premises is lit by floodlights throughout the night and is secured by fencing and everything is locked up, but obviously this still hasn’t deterred the thieves.
“We will now be looking at getting CCTV installed and again, that’s money that will have to come out of the budget.”
The charity is still hoping to deliver the gifts in time for Christmas, but accepts the theft could result in delays.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the police described the investigation as “ongoing”.
She said: “Police are investigating the theft of diesel at Stella’s Voice in Inverugie between 6pm on December 14 and 8.30am on December 15.
“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.”
The thief entered the secured premises at Faith Acres and tried to prise open the fuel tank of the truck before hacking a hole big enough to siphon the fuel.
The vehicle had only been purchased a week before the incident and local councillor, Anne Allan, a member of the town’s safety group, urged people to call 101 if they knew or saw anything.
She was joined by MP, Eilidh Whiteford, who described the attack as “saddening”.