A HUNT has been launched for thieves who stole copper cable worth “tens of thousands of pounds” from two wind farms in Aberdeenshire.
Police said an investigation has been launched after wind farms in Laurencekirk and Stonehaven were broken into at some point between Thursday and Friday.
Officers said that although the value of the stolen cables is yet to be confirmed, it is believed to be in the tens of thousands of pounds.
The first break-in happened in the hours between 11pm and 4am at Tullo Wind Farm, Easter Tulloch, police said.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said that three wind turbines were forced open and copper cables were removed, according to the BBC.
Similar cables were also stripped from a single turbine after it was forced open at Meikle Carewe Wind Farm in Stonehaven.
Police said this happened some time between the hours of 4pm and 8pm.
Officers said they believe the two incidents are linked and that a “fairly large” vehicle was used.
Detective Sargent Kim Patterson said: “We believe these thefts are linked and that those responsible, due to the remoteness of both areas, would need to have used a fairly large vehicle.
“Whilst the value has yet to be confirmed, it is believed it will run into tens of thousands of pounds.”