Thieves have broken into four Dingwall businesses within a few hours of each other, stealing a quantity of cash.
Police have launched an investigation after the High Street shops were hit in quick succession on Sunday evening.
A spokesman for the force said that a combined “three figure sum” of money had been stolen from the businesses, which included a butchers, a sweet shop, a takeaway restaurant and a cafe.
The butchers hit was well-established family firm Frasers, with staff saying yesterday that the raid was the first time they had been robbed since opening in 1888.
The thieves broke down a back door into the shop before making off with a quantity of cash.
David Leversidge, of High Street shop Sweet Treats, said the thieves had broken into the store before making off with an empty till, which was later found broken open in a nearby car park.
He said: “The police have now taken the till away for forensics to see what they can get from it.
“They’ve ignored everything else, there was a charity box there as well but they’ve ignored and it gone straight for the till which was empty anyway.
“They caused a bit of damage to the door too which is annoying as well.”
Dingwall councillor Margaret Paterson said she was “absolutely horrified” by the raids.
She said: “We really have to nip this in the bud. It’s obviously been planned which makes it all the worse.
“It’s just acceptable. Businesses should expect to be able to leave their premises and come back to it exactly as they found it.”
Inspector Nick MacRae said: “Officers are carrying out patrols in the area and we would appeal to shop owners and the public to report any signs of suspicious activity in the area.
“Businesses owners can assist us by ensuring that their premises are fully secured before leaving the property unattended and that no money is left in the tills or elsewhere within the building.
“If anyone has any information, or may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour, they are encouraged to contact us on 101 or alternatively can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”