US Edition 
Scottish island fights to preserve its way of life
The people of Canna won't let 'one bad apple' threaten its way of life after being hit by a second overnight theft
For more than half a century it has existed as a beacon of community spirit, charming visitors with its open doors and honesty boxes.
But the tiny island of Canna is fighting to preserve its way of life after being hit by a second overnight theft, of beauty products made by locals and left for visitors to enjoy.
The isle, in the Small Isles off the west coast of Scotland, was hit by its first episode of stealing in more than 50 years on Friday night, with details of a second opportunistic crime emerging yesterday.
A policeman has now taken the two-and-a-half-hour ferry journey to visit the remote island to oversee its first serious inquiry in years.
The crimes could result in unprecedented and unwanted steps being taken to protect the hard work of the community, as locals fight to preserve their long-held trust in strangers.
The island does not have its own police station or dedicated officers from the mainland, with a largely crime-free existence meaning policemen simply keep in touch with residents over local matters when needed.
The community, made up of 22 adults and four schoolchildren from the same family, will now hold a meeting to decide how to move forward, and whether any steps such as locking doors must be brought in.
Some are staunchly opposed to introducing CCTV or similar security precautions, fearing it would be too large a compromise to their way of life.
They have been inundated with messages of support from around the globe since news of the first theft broke, with dozens of former visitors urging them not to change their traditions and give in to pressure to tighten up security.
Local families currently pride themselves on their generous welcome to visitors, with their own 'Hebridean Beauty' shop - set up just six weeks ago - operating an open-door policy with an honesty box for anyone who wishes to pick up an array of artisan goods made on the island.
Around £20 in cash has now been reported as taken from the box, left next to a handwritten list for tourists to record what they have bought, along with four bath oils, shower gels, body butter and shampoo.
A policeman interviews Canna Shop Worker (Peter Jolly)
It is believed to have happened on the same night as another theft from the local shop, of six hand-made knitted hats made from wool from the island's sheep, and an array of sweets, coffee and batteries.
In total, around £300-worth of goods are thought to have been taken in the two raids.
The incidents left locals in a state of shock, with police appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
It is believed the goods must have been taken by visitors staying overnight on fishing boats or yachts moored in the harbour, which are not officially registered.
Colin Irvine, who runs the beauty shop as well as the one guest house on the island, said: "It's made people a bit wary and a bit upset that it's happened, as well as a bit unsure about what to do next.
"We will have to have a meeting as a community to decide what we should do in terms of security, but we don't want to take away from what we offer."
For the time being, he is determined to keep the doors of his shop open along with those of the community store, which doubles as a centre for meetings, Burns Night celebrations and Christmas dinner.
He added the thief would "certainly not" have been a resident, with all proceeds from the shop sales contributing directly to island life.
Julie McCabe, manager of Canna's main store, said she had "always had faith" in the honesty of others, running a system where locals record everything they take from the shop in a red exercise book and pay the balance once a month.
She first noticed the theft after arriving on Saturday morning to find six mannequin heads were empty of the hats she had left the night before.
"I was gutted at first," she said. "But it's so nice that everyone is saying 'please don't lock the door and let them win'.
"Why should we change our way of life because of one bad apple?
"Hopefully whoever did it will have got a shock. I'm hopeful they'll be caught, but at least they might not do it again."
A spokesman for Police Scotland said an officer was visiting Canna to carry out inquiries and "to provide public reassurance".
"We’re appealing for members of the public who are visiting the island and may have seen something to come forward," he said.
"We're especially asking anyone who may have brought a boat to the island to think back if they saw anything suspicious."