A lifeboat has been damaged during a break-in at an RNLI station in Aberdeen.

A broken lock meant crew members were unable to enter the lifeboat after the incident on Friday night and had to cut their way in using power tools.

Operations manager Bill Deans warned a similar delay in an emergency could cost lives.

"This shocking, mindless act could easily have cost lives," he said.

"Minutes matter in saving lives at sea - imagine if the crew had been called out on a rescue overnight and had to cut their way into their own lifeboat.

"That delay could have prevented them from arriving in time to save a life."

The lifeboat was able to return to service after the damaged lock was removed.

It is unclear what the would-be thieves hoped to take as the ignition keys are not kept aboard and there are no medical supplies at the station.