Police are hunting the “opportunistic” thieves who broke into four city schools to steal cash and safes.
The Kirkhill and Abbotswell primaries in Kincorth, Westpark in Northfield and Braeside School were targeted between Thursday, February 27, and Sunday, March 22.
Officers have said they “cannot rule out the possibility” that all four break-ins are linked.
Petty cash and safes were taken from two of the schools, while the others did not report anything stolen.
The appeal from police follows a string of similar incidents across the region.
Play equipment and fencing were vandalised and dismantled at Balmedie school nursery on Sunday night.
Councillor expresses social distancing fears after vandalism
And four men wearing dark clothes stole money and items of great sentimental value in a series of “linked” raids on Highlands care homes on Friday evening and early on Saturday morning.
Community leaders in Aberdeen have criticised the criminals responsible for the break-ins.
Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor Alex Nicoll, who is also a retired Grampian Police sergeant, said: “I’m fairly confident these thefts will be linked. It is a very opportunistic type of crime we are seeing here.
“At the end of the day, we don’t want our schools to be fortresses because children have to go there to be educated.
“It’s very disappointing when people target places like these, because they only ones that lose out are the pupils.”
Fellow ward councillor Sarah Duncan said: “It is incredibly disappointing that someone is using the school closures as an opportunity for criminal behaviour.
“The Covid-19 crisis has brought out the best in many people, with amazing examples of communities coming together to look after their vulnerable and isolated friends and neighbours.
“Teachers, parents and pupils are pulling together even though their school communities can’t meet in person, so the fact that schools have been burgled is particularly difficult to understand.
“I’d urge anyone living near the schools affected who may have seen something suspicious last weekend to contact the police so the thieves can be caught.”
Detective Constable Karen Maxwell said: “Officers are reviewing CCTV and carrying out door-to-door enquiries in an attempt to identify those responsible.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that these crimes are linked.
“I would ask the public to vigilant and report any suspicious activity around schools to the police.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.