Suspicious 'piggyback request' man appeal
A man who has been asking women for a piggyback while they are out running is being sought by police.
Police Scotland said the "suspicious" incidents involved a man approaching lone runners and asking for help because he was injured.
One was in the Laurencekirk area, and three on the old Deeside railway line between Cults and Milltimber.
Police said they wanted to trace a man described as aged between 40 and 60. and of stocky build.
He is said to have grey receding hair, and has been wearing exercise clothes.
Sgt Andy Peerless said: "While on the surface these incidents may appear fairly innocuous, they have made the women involved feel extremely uncomfortable and alarmed which obviously makes this a concern for us.
"Given the frequency of the incidents and the similarities between them, we are asking the public to be vigilant and report any concerns to police as soon as possible while our inquiries continue.
"In each case the women who have been approached say the male has been persistent in nature and behaving oddly.
"Officers will be giving particular attention to the areas in question and are taking these reports extremely seriously."