Vandalism has become so widespread on Bradford's buses that one operator is offering cash rewards for help to catch the culprits.

Anyone who gives information which leads to the conviction of an offender who has attacked a First Bradford bus will be given £100 by the company.

Managing director Andy Campbell said Bradford was the worst for assaults on staff and acts of vandalism among all the First Group bus companies in Yorkshire.

In the latest incident last Saturday seven-year-old Jamie Brown, from Allerton, was showered in glass when a brick was hurled through a window as he sat on the 670 Leeds to Bradford service with his grandmother.

Other incidents include children covered with flying glass when yobs hurled a lump of concrete through the window of a school service and 20 windows destroyed on one bus during a wrecking spree by teenagers.

In a six-week period beginning in June, 87 First Bradford buses were damaged at a cost of almost £30,000 to the company.

Mr Campbell said: "I would hope people within the community would see this reward as their opportunity to try to protect what services they have got.

"We are self-insured, so if vandalism costs us £100,000 in a year it's money we have to find from somewhere else in the business which can mean an increase in fares."

If the reward scheme, which is a six-month pilot in partnership with Crimestoppers, is successful it could be introduced at more of First Group's 30 bus companies in England and Scotland.

Stuart Render, First Group's public relations manager, said: "We have had similar incidents where buses have been taken off the road in Manchester.

"But this is the first time that a First Group bus company and Crimestoppers have worked together in partnership.

"Once again Bradford is leading the way and is at the forefront of innovation to tackle this problem."

All information given to Crimestoppers will be treated in the strictest confidence and the £100 reward will be paid to a parent or guardian if the person providing the evidence is under 18.

Bradford Community Safety Chief Inspector David Young said: "We would encourage the public to come forward with any information that may put an end to these appalling incidents."

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.