An 11-year-old vandal was caught red-handed when he threw a glass bottle at a decoy bus carrying plain-clothed police officers.

The arrest was made during a three-day crackdown following a spate of incidents involving objects being thrown at buses.

They worked with Lothian Buses and staff from Edinburgh City Council in an operation in the south west of the city.

Officers carried out high-visibility patrols and used the council's CCTV van to gather evidence.

When a decoy Lothian bus carrying officers in plain clothes was driven around the area, an 11-year-old boy threw a glass bottle at the vehicle.

He was subsequently charged and reported to the Children's Reporter.

Sergeant William Telford, of Oxgangs, said: "This operation was launched in response to a number of complaints from the local community about objects being thrown at buses and other vehicles in the area.

"These types of incidents cause alarm to passengers and risk distracting the driver, which threatens the safety of all road users.

"A further two males were also charged in connection with this behaviour in early July, and we'll continue to deter and detect offences wherever possible."

Councillor Cammy Day, the city council's safety officer, said drivers and passengers should be free to travel without the safety risks caused by "immature, dangerous and criminal behaviour".

He added: "We would urge anyone with information about these incidents to come forward without delay."

A spokesman for Lothian Buses said: "We take the safety and comfort of our staff and passengers very seriously.

"Through our dedicated police liaison officer, Lothian Buses works in partnership with Police Scotland to ensure that our passengers and staff can travel in a safe environment at all times."

Anyone with information or concerns about these incidents is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.