Police are investigating after a “disgusting” attempt to break into a cairn and make off with charity money.
The stone cairn at the East Haven section of the national cycle route, near Carnoustie, was attacked by would-be thieves who tried to dismantle the structure in an effort to steal the donation box inside it.
The donation box held money for charity Mary’s Meals, which provides hungry children with one meal every school day and encourages education that can lift them out of poverty in later life.
David Fairweather, councillor for the Arbroath West and Letham ward, told the Tele: “How low can some people get?”
He said: “It is a disgusting act.
“Anyone who has information should come forward.
“If they feel like they don’t want to go directly to the police, I would be happy to pass the information on anonymously.
“Do these people not take into account that this money is for hungry children?
“What gives these people the audacity to think that they can come along and do this.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said today: “A stone cairn was vandalised sometime between 4.30pm on Monday and 8.30am on Tuesday.
“A number of stones had been removed from around a donation box.
“Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Our East Haven, an online group, appealed for witnesses to come forward to report any information.
A spokesman for the group said: “If anybody knows who tried to dismantle the Cairn in an unsuccessful attempt to steal money from the Mary’s Meals donation box, please contact PC Ian Campbell at Carnoustie Police Station.
“Fortunately the steel unit is cemented right through to the ground and the box is emptied every couple of hours so nothing was taken.”