13-year-olds among knife offenders

Four 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old were also caught with a knife by police in the city during last year.

Meanwhile, an 11-year-old was caught in possession of an offensive weapon last year, according to figures released under freedom of information laws. Two 13-year-olds, four 14-year-olds and seven 15-year-olds were also among those charged with the same offence.

The figures represent a drop on 2008, when 31 under-16s were caught with knives, including two eight-year-old children, and 28 were arrested over offensive weapons. Lothian and Borders Police has run a number of recent campaigns aimed at educating youngsters over the dangers of carrying knives.