Vandalism is costing Dundee thousands amid plunging detection rates.
In a report to the council policy and resources committee, Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith revealed that police detection rates for vandalism have dropped substantially.
Last year more than one in four vandals was caught (25.9%) compared with fewer than one in five (19.7%) this year.
Some areas are being repeatedly targeted by vandals on crime sprees, the report stated.
Mr Smith wrote: “Vandalism and malicious mischief levels have steadily dropped over the last five years.
“The five-year average for both is 1,168 but during this period the figure is 816, which is 352 crimes below the average, and there has been a percentage reduction of 9% year on year.”
More than 800 crimes of vandalism were detected in the last year and a report by the City of Dundee Local Community Planning Partnerships highlights more than 200 in the last three months.
In the report, police intelligence analyst Lindsay Burns said: “There are 20 crimes and two locations in Lochee that stand out for repeat victimisation.
“St Mary’s RC Primary School has been attacked five times, with windows being broken on each occasion. The cost of repairing the damage is estimated at £970.
“The overwhelming vandalism issue in Coldside has been the series that occurred in Inverary Terrace and Albany Terrace, where 33 crimes have occurred.
“The offender has not been detected at this time. The combined estimated damage is £16,100.”
Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said: “It is often a small minority of people who cause these crimes. It is very frustrating when everyone else is looking after where they live.
“It affects the whole city. Vandalism should not be tolerated and I would always urge people to report any acts of vandalism to police.”