Thieves have stolen a four-month-old puppy from a car in Edinburgh.

They smashed a window in the Vauxhall Corsa, which was parked in the Pleasance.

The puppy, a Jack Russell called Arkle, was taken from the vehicle but its mother was left behind. Nothing else was stolen.

The 30-year-old owner was in Edinburgh visiting a friend. She is now looking for the dog in the city.

A police spokeswoman said: "A group of around four youths aged about 14 where seen lurking around the car.

"They may not be connected to the theft but might have seen what happened and we would urge them to come forward to the police.

"Obviously the owner of the puppy is absolutely devastated and we would love to be able to reunite her with Arkle."

The theft occurred between 1815 and 1915 on Monday.

Arkle is described as white with a brown face and ears and a brown patch on his right side above his front leg.

He was wearing a red collar with a bone-shaped dog tag with his name engraved on it.

Police are appealing for information.