Huntly Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating four youths armed with a knife who threatened a couple in their business during an aggravated robbery in the town on Tuesday.
Detective Andrew Mortimore of the Huntly CIB said the group entered the Riverside Dairy on Harris St about 6.50pm.
"One of the group was armed with a knife which he used to threaten the husband and wife working in the store while his accomplices helped themselves to a large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco.
"The group fled the store on foot and were last seen running north along Harris St before disappearing from view. Our victims were understandably shaken from their ordeal and we are asking the public for assistance in identifying those responsible before they possibly offend again."
Mr Mortimore said with tobacco increasingly becoming a popular commodity for dishonesty offenders to target, Police are speaking to retailers, both large and small, about the best way to safeguard not only their stock but themselves at well.
"This includes making the interior of your shop more visible to passers-by so if something is amiss people can see it, to better shop layout and the securing of attractive items.
"Remember small business owners such as our victims provide a convenience to their local communities with tight margins. If they are victimised in a way as we saw last week then it becomes less attractive to operate and the community loses a valuable service so it is in all our interests that those responsible are caught."
Police want to hear from anyone offered cheap cigarettes for sale or sees them available for purchase either at car boots sales or at markets to contact them.
Anyone with information on the identities of the robbers or who has been offered cheap cigarettes is asked to contact Mr Mortimore at the Huntly Police station on 07 828 7560.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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