Some 26 cylinders containing nitrous oxide - commonly known as laughing gas - have been stolen from a hospital.
The blue cylinders reach a height of around 5ft 6in and each hold 9,000 litres of the gas, which is used in anaesthetics.
They were taken from the gas compound store at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary at some point between Saturday and yesterday.
It is thought they are worth around £4,000.
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the back of the hospital and might have seen something suspicious to get in contact.
Officers said they are keen to trace two people in a white van fitted with two roof bars which was seen in the area between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday.
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