The public are being asked to play their part in a crackdown on antisocial behaviour outside schools.
Police have launched month-long campaign to tackle vandalism and youth disorder as the school October holiday starts.
The Buchan School Watch scheme will put more officers on the beat around primaries and secondaries in the north-east.
Sergeant George Nixon, part of the Buchan policing team, said it was “unfortunate” that some people felt the need to damage other people’s property.
He said: “Our young people rightly take pride in their schools and I would urge members of our local communities to report any antisocial behaviour in these areas by calling 101 or speaking to members of their community policing team when they see them on patrol.
“The increasingly dark nights and start of the October holidays often results in an increase in groups of youths congregating around school premises.
“Unfortunately, this occasionally leads to damage being caused, which has a financial impact when this money could be better spent on educating our young people.”
The initiative has been supported by local school pupils who designed posters asking the public to report any antisocial behaviour they witness.
Police are also appealing to motorists to stop parking on yellow lines outside schools in Aberdeenshire.
The Park Smart campaign was launched last week when banners were put up outside schools to highlight the issue.
Constable Wayne Bedford said he was hopeful the message would get through to the minority of drivers who put children’s lives in danger.
“My concern is that children could be hurt as a consequence of the minority of drivers who choose to park dangerously,” he said.