Years of research work has been ruined at a Tayside science facility after “mindless” vandalism which killed tree saplings.
Police are investigating after two polytunnels were broken into and young poplar trees were destroyed at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie.
Staff arrived on Wednesday September 30 morning to find the area damaged.
It is the latest attack at the facility after a slew of incidents in recent weeks, including windows of a glass house being smashed and equipment tampered with.
The trees targeted in the latest incident were part of Leigh-Anne Kemp’s PHD project to learn about better managing CO2 emissions.
The project was edging towards the end of its three years, meaning some vital information could be lost.
CCTV footage from the area is being checked in a bid to catch the culprits.
Euan Caldwell, farm, field and glasshouse manager at the site, said: “It was a bioenergy crop and the project was trying to see how to meet CO2 targets.
“It was important work, but we like to think all the work we take on here is important of course.
“It was in its final year, so while some very important data will be lost, the whole project will has not been for nothing.”
The institute is open during the day for visitors, something Mr Caldwell does not want to see end.
He added: “We have a lot of people locally who are interested in our work.
“I don’t want to change our outlook, so we would appeal for the public’s help to put a stop to this.”
Ms Kemp, 41, said she was angry to learn about the destruction of her work.
She said: “I am frustrated, because it’s taken a long time to get to the stage they were at.
“If you don’t understand the consequences of what you have done, you don’t realise the impact.”
The people of Invergowrie were outraged to hear about the damaged trees.
Tracey Norris wrote on social media that it was an “appalling act of vandalism, I feel so sorry for those researchers affected”.
Avril Stewart said: “Why are these idiots so mindless?”
A police spokeswoman said: “We were called just before 2pm on Wednesday September 30 to reports of vandalism at a property on Errol Road.
“Investigations into this incident are ongoing.”
