An award-winning Tayside restaurant has been targeted by vandals.
Intruders broke into The Newport in the early hours of Friday morning, trashed the premises and kicked open a ventilation shaft.
Jamie Scott, who owns the Newport-on-Tay business, said he is shocked as he has been targeted by vandals and thieves twice in one week.
Mr Scott said he entered at 6am, after being alerted to the break-in, to find dairy products and vegetables scattered across the floor.
The images showing the destruction were posted on the restaurant’s social media in an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
He said: “I have mixed emotions about it all and I was quite shocked when I realised the restaurant had been vandalised.
“I’d like to this that this is just children being a bit mindless but I don’t think they’d be out in the freezing clod in the early hours of the morning.
“If it has been a targeted break-in attempt then that’s a bit scary when we’re trying to do something good in the community.
“We have great support from the community and great relationships with the people who live here so we just don’t know why someone would do this.
“They have damaged a lot of our produce, which costs a lot of money to replace. We are a local business and fund ourselves so for this to happen is a bit frustrating, especially in January when businesses struggle as it is.
“It seems like they initially tried to break into the kitchen to smash up the place.
“Hopefully someone has seen something and can help us catch the culprits.”
Mr Scott said no substantial damage was done to the premises, and only two ducks were stolen from the freezer.
The recent attack is a further blow to the popular restaurant as Mr Scott, who was crowned winner of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2014, revealed a “substantial theft” had taken place on Wednesday.
The two incidents are not believed to be linked.
The restaurant was opened four years ago by Mr Scott and his wife Kelly and was awarded AA Restaurant of the Year 2018/19.
The area is widely covered by CCTV, and Mr Scott said he is “hopeful” the culprits will be caught.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed enquires are ongoing.
They said: “Officers received report of vandalism at a premises on High Street, Newport-on-Tay around 7.40am on Friday, 17 January.”
