A bus operator was forced to withdraw services from a city street after youths armed with stones began attacking vehicles.

The 9/10 and 33 services run by Xplore Dundee were pulled from Lothian Crescent in Whitfield on Tuesday night after two vehicles — a 9a and a 33 — were attacked with stones.

Youths were reported to have climbed on to a construction site and hurled missiles at passing traffic at around 8pm.

In another malicious incident, a bus travelling on Happyhillock Road had a window smashed. No one was injured.

All buses were withdrawn from Lothian Crescent for the rest of the night.

It is understood drivers have been told not to spend more time than is necessary in Lothian Crescent following a series of recent incidents in which vehicles have been targeted by yobs. Margo McLaren, 52, who lives in nearby Murrayfield Gardens, said she saw a group of youths causing trouble at around 6pm.

She said: “I could see a gang of them throwing stones. There were about six or seven of them. I couldn’t believe it — they didn’t care about anybody’s safety.”

Karen Brownlee, 56, a resident who lives near where the incidents took place, said: “There have been a lot of problems involving gangs of youths.”

North East councillor Brian Gordon said the attacks are putting passengers at risk.

He added: “These youths are creating a danger to drivers, passengers and people who are walking about nearby.”

The incidents come just a week after Xplore launched a safety film to highlight the dangers of stone throwing.

A police spokesman said officers had received reports of stone throwing after youths climbed on to a construction site.

A spokeswoman for Xplore Dundee said: “In order to protect the safety of our customers and drivers, we took the decision to temporarily remove services from Lothian Crescent due to high levels of antisocial behaviour directed towards our vehicles.

“We would urge residents to report any antisocial behaviour they see in this area, particularly youths throwing stones at buses.

“This kind of act is extremely dangerous and we will be working with the police to try to identify and prosecute anyone who targets our vehicles.”