A Scottish newspaper has revealed how it has been denied the chance to bring young tearaways to book because police have refused to release video footage of them carrying out an “orgy of destruction”.

The children were caught on film vandalising an Aberdeen community centre but could escape prosecution as they are protected by the law.

Police refused to release video stills, telling the Evening Express that the newspaper itself would be breaking the law if the youths could be identified because they were under the age of 16.

But the newspaper said identification was the key to ending the crime spree – and promised it would respect the laws protecting their identity once they came to court.

It is up to the police and Procurator Fiscal’s office to decide if the film can be released but that usually happens only for more serious crimes.

But the paper said: “Now the young thugs could escape capture – free to wreak more havoc in our communities – because they are protected by the law.”

A stinging editorial said: “The video images held by police are excellent but they say we’d be breaking the law because the vandals are under 16.

“Wrong – no one has been charged yet.

“Instead of giving thousands of readers a chance to help trace the yobs, the law is being used to shield them.

“The time to protect a youngster’s identity is when they are brought to justice – but first we need to catch them.

“We accept the anonymity granted at a children’s hearing, but dearly wish we could show you these tearaways wrecking a public building paid for with your money.

“So far they’re getting away with it.”