POLICE have stopped graffiti vandals from targeting property in Ringwood with the arrest of four youths on September 29.

About 1am, officers on patrol found two youths aged 13 and 14 near Loughnan Road who had spray-paint on the gloves they were wearing.

Leading Senior Constable Peter Moody, of Ringwood police, said the boys were questioned and searched, after which police found spray-paint cans in their backpacks.

"They eventually admitted to the offence and showed us their handiwork.

"We found extensive graffiti on property along Loughnan Road and Warrandyte Road. As a result, after they were taken back to their parents; both were cautioned."

About 2.30am the same day, police saw two other boys, aged 15 and 16, walking with backpacks. "All four boys were known to each other," Leading Senior Constable Moody said.

"We found they had extensively graffitied Ringwood Heights Primary School, which the principal reported later that morning."

Leading Senior Constable Moody said young people viewed graffiti as a "victimless crime", and didn't realise the inconvenience it caused. He stressed that police had no hesitation in prosecuting vandals.

Ringwood Heights Primary School principal Randall Vague said a number of school buildings had been tagged but praised the efforts of police.

Three of the boys, aged 13, 14 and 16, were cautioned about the incident, but police expected to charge the 15-year-old.