Police Scotland is seeing an emerging trend across the country of used cooking oil being stolen from food outlets such as restaurants and take-away food premises.

A vehicle suspected of being involved in such thefts was seen in suspicious circumstances in the Stonehaven area during the evening of Monday 27 December.

North East Division crime reduction officer PC Mike Urquhart said: “I would advise restaurant and fast food outlet owners to be particularly vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police via 101. Keep rear gardens or yards securely locked and consider CCTV and security lighting.

“Used cooking oils are being stolen across the country by organised gangs and being taken south to be processed.”