A community safety group has called for more CCTV in Fraserburgh town centre after a spate of break-ins.
A bakery in the town’s Commerce Street, and both Boots and Farmfoods on High Street have been targeted by thieves in the last fortnight.
Boots was targeted on Tuesday, while Smith’s the bakers was broken into the next night.
Thieves also got into Farmfoods by damaging the front doors on September 22, but did not steal anything.
Yesterday, police urged residents and businesses to be vigilant but reassured them the town centre was still safe.
She added: “Members of the public and businesses should always be vigilant.
“In terms of Boots, a 36-year-old man has been charged in relation to an attempted housebreaking.
“Inquiries are ongoing for Smith’s the bakers.”
Last night Mary Melville, vice-chairwoman of the Fraserburgh community safety group, called for anyone with information on the incidents to come forward.
She added: “I know these things happen, but it’s such a shame for it to happen when the town is teetering on the brink. These shops are in broad daylight.
“I think maybe what we need is a few more CCTV cameras up to cover more the town. They act as a deterrent and, if they aren’t, at least they could help catch the culprits. It also means that court time is reduced if there’s irrefutable evidence – how
can you deny what’s there to see on a CCTV recording?”
Earlier this year, town centre shop Nickel and Dime was targeted when a man allegedly flashed a machete at a shopkeeper in an attempt to rob him of cash.
Anyone with information about the latest break-ins should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.