An oblivious teenager has landed himself in hot water after being caught using a catapult right in front of a police officer.

The 13-year-old from Ashford was seen firing the weapon at a building in the Stanhope area on Friday.

Unfortunately for the short-sighted youth, a police officer was standing right next to him at the time.

The bemused officer filmed the entire incident, before stepping in to confiscate the weapon.

A police spokeswoman said: "During the afternoon of Friday January 7, officers witnessed a 13-year-old boy using a catapult to fire a stone at a building in the Stanhope area. No damage was reported.

"Officers identified and located the boy nearby who admitted the action. A catapult was seized.

"The offence was dealt with by way of a community resolution, as part of which the boy agreed not to possess a catapult."

It is not illegal to own or carry a catapult unless a solid link can be found between the carrier and a crime.

The use of the elasticated weapons has been endemic in the area for some time, leading it to be named the 'catapult crime capital of Kent'.

It is not yet known what action has been taken against the teenager. Police have been contacted for comment.