A fairtrade cafe in Newport-on-Tay has hailed the response of the local community after it was forced to temporarily close following a break-in.
Police were called to Manna Cafe on Cupar Road after thieves targeted the property some time between Monday night and the early hours of Tuesday.
It is understood no cash was taken and only a few gift shop items were stolen but the premises had to stay closed on Tuesday while officers carried out forensics examinations at the scene.
The cafe has now reopened and assistant manager Morag Rawley paid tribute to the response of local residents while staff worked to repair the damage.
She said: “It looks like maybe they used a crowbar used to get in. We have two outside doors damaged and another two inside.
“They didn’t take very much at all, just some small items from the gift shop — pocket money type of gifts.
“We are already moving on, the community has really pulled together. We have a baker who provides some of our products and they came in today with more than we could ever hope to sell.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland said officers in Fife were investigating.
He said: “Inquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to come forward.”
Meanwhile, three people have been arrested in connection with a break-in at Duncan of Jordanstone College on Tuesday night.
Neither the police nor the university would confirm whether any student work had been affected in the incident.
A police spokeswoman said a 41-year old man, a 33-year old man and a 23-year old woman had been arrested.
A glass panel on the west side of the building was boarded up yesterday morning and students were being asked which floor they were going to when they arrived.
Staff from the nearby Wild Rover bar reported seeing “multiple police cars” descend on the art school on the night.
One worker said he left the bar at about 10pm to go to a shop, and by the time he got back about 10 minutes later there was a police car with two officers outside the building.
A student who lives nearby said he saw a light going on and off towards the top of the building at about 11pm.
“I assumed it was cleaners or something, but I did wonder what somebody would be doing there at that time of night,” he said.
A university spokesman said: “We are aware of a break-in and are currently assisting the police with their ongoing investigation.”
