Primary pupils as young as six have been caught by police after they smashed up a nursery.

Police have revealed three children – aged six, seven and 10 – were identified following the vandalism at Rainbow Childcare in Kilwinning.

Staff were left devastated last month after discovering smashed glass, graffiti, scorch marks and discarded matches on August 4.

With the culprits too young to face criminal charges, the Times was told officers spoke with their parents this week.

Police say they will look to target parents following various incidents of youth disorder in the town centre, and hope to drive home the message of parental responsibility.

Updating community councillors last week, Kilwinning Locality Sgt Allen Dodds said: “The youths who went out and damaged the nursery, there was a detection and that has been dealt with.

“There were three offenders, who were younger than just young people. These were pre-teens, three children of primary school age.

“In regards to youth disorder in the town centre, small fires have started getting raised again. I’ve devised a strategy now with North Ayrshire Council’s anti-social behaviour team to target youth offenders and their families.

“There are things we can put in place to try and drive home a bit of parental responsibility of what their children are doing in the town centre and surrounding areas.”