Vandals have been accused of “wanton violence” after breaking over a dozen windows at two primary schools in Perthshire.
Twelve windows were smashed at Pitcairn Primary School in Almondbank before vandals destroyed four more windows at Stanley Primary School.
The incidents happened at schools in the Strathtay ward with the Stanley school being vandalised over the course of last weekend and Pitcairn Primary targeted the week before.
Four windows were also smashed at the primary school in Stanley in November last year.
SNP councillor for Strathtay Grant Laing condemned the crimes, saying they could disrupt classes and children’s ability to learn.
He said: “I’m shocked that anyone would do this. It’s wanton violence.
“We have to track down who is doing it because we don’t want it setting a precedent and it continues.
“It’s obviously dangerous and expensive and could impact on young people’s learning process.
“It’s a negative thing all round and has consequences, all of which are bad.”
The first incident at Pitcairn Primary School occurred between Wednesday February 26 and Friday 28.
The vandalism at the Stanley school happened between Friday March 6 and Monday.
Werner Reiche, chairman of the Stanley and District Community Council, said he had every confidence that the culprits would be caught.
He said: “We have a new police constable for this area and I haven’t spoken to him personally but I’m quite sure when he gets to know the area he will be able to deal with this.
“I’ve every confidence in the police and we would ask the public to help and if they know the names of the people.
“If they don’t want to go to the police directly they can come to the community council and we will report it and not give their names.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “All such damage is regrettable.
“The broken windows were boarded up and replacements will be installed shortly.”
Police Scotland have said they are not connecting the incidents which occurred six miles apart.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Enquiries are ongoing for both of them.
“We’re not looking at them being connected. They were on different days in different places.”
