Thieves attempted to break open a cash machine at an Aberdeen convenience store during a botched break-in in the early hours of this morning.
The main entrance to the Spar on Clifton Road was smashed in and the ATM damaged during the raid, which is understood to have taken place at around 1.50am.
Robbers did not succeed in securing any money and fled empty handed.
Detectives have now issued a description of a vehicle they are keen to trace, seen driving in the direction of the city’s North Anderson Drive in the wake of the crime.
Police officers were highly visible, standing guard outside the store while forensics officers searched the scene for evidence.
Shattered glass was strewn across the pavement outside the Spar, while a large green bin was left next to the smashed door.
The cash machine outside the business was also damaged.
One resident, who lives across the road from the shop, said he was woken up in the middle of the night by a loud “knocking” noise.
He said: “I was in bed and I heard a lot of knocking going on at the Spar outside.
“I’m used to the alarm sometimes going off, but there wasn’t any alarm sounding. I knew something must have been wrong.
“When I looked outside, I couldn’t see anybody. All I could see was a length of sort-of-thick grey cable that was coming out of, or maybe attached to the ATM.”
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a dark Audi SUV in the Clifton Road area at the time.
Police believe the car may have been leaving Clifton Road in the direction of North Anderson Drive at the time of the incident.
Detective inspector Fionnuala McPhail said: “I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 12am and 2am to phone the police.
“In particular, we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a dark Audi SUV type vehicle, possibly a Q5 or a Q7.
“Additional patrols will be carried out in the area and we would ask that anyone with information speaks to any officer or calls 101.”
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.