Vandals have smashed nine windows at a Moray secondary school during an “idiotic” rampage.
The culprits broke the windows at Buckie High School on the town’s West Cathcart Street between 9pm on Thursday and 6am on Friday.
It will cost more than £1,000 to repair the damage.
Two Citroen cars were also damaged elsewhere in the area — again causing damage in the region of £1,000.
Local officers are also appealing for information following a break-in to a premises in the West Church Street area during the same period.
The incident is believed to have happened between 10am on that same Thursday and 10am the next day . As a result, bottles of alcohol worth less than £50 were stolen.
Buckie councillor Gordon McDonald condemned mindless perpetrators last night.
He said: “Obviously, these are just acts of mindless vandalism and the people within their own community now have to pick up the tab for the cost of it all.
“That money could have been far better spent on other things if it were not for these mindless idiots.
“The school will now be looking into increased security measures.”
Constable Linzi Robertson, who is investing the crimes, said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to come forward and assist us in catching those responsible.
“Inquiries are ongoing and we are keeping an open mind as to links between the crimes.”
An area-wide crackdown on vandalism was launched by local policing teams last month after recent figures revealed cases of mindless destruction continue to rise.
There has been a 23% increase in the crime this year, with over 90 more incidents reported than during the same period in 2014.
At the beginning of October, Operation Regard was launched in Forres specifically to tackle the issue, which involves an increased number of visible police patrols in problem areas.
The scheme has since been rolled out across Moray, but despite efforts, officers continue to face challenges containing cases of wanton violence which are blighting the region.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.