FOUR young footballers were arrested following reports of pot-shots being fired at pedestrians from passing cars.

Three teenage Sunderland players have admitted being involved in the firing of pellets from a BB-type gun at passers-by in city streets, while a fourth has been bailed pending further police inquiries into a similar previous incident.

The trio involved in the latest incidents are said to have apologised, and now face club disciplinary measures.

Promising young striker Chris Brown, 19, and 18-year-old defenders Ryan Bell and Sean Taylor, were arrested on Monday evening following reports received by police of three men driving around firing at pedestrians.

Two women were reported to have been hit in the Plains Farm and Seaburn areas of the city.

Neither was said to have suffered injury.

Police scrambled firearms officers to the Dykelands Road area and surrounded a Renault Clio.

The three men were arrested and each received a formal caution for public order offences, and a weapon was seized.

Sunderland FC issued a statement last night saying the club could not condone such behaviour and treated the incidents very seriously.

A spokeswoman for the club said: "The individuals involved have apologised for their actions which they realise were both irresponsible and unacceptable.

"While the players have been cautioned by the police, they will also face internal disciplinary measures by the club."

Brown, the son of former Sunderland striker Alan "Bomber" Brown, has appeared on the first team substitutes' bench recently after a successful loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season, when he scored ten goals in 17 games.

In a previous incident, on Saturday, a 40-year-old man was hit by a pellet from a passing car while walking along Whitburn Road, Sunderland. The victim, who was walking with his daughter, suffered a minor arm injury.

Eighteen-year-old youth player Niall Flynn was arrested and bailed on suspicion of firing a pellet.

He must return to a police station at a later date when he will discover if any further action is taken.

Inspector Paul Telfer, of the Northumbria force's central support unit, spoke last night of the "obvious dangers" of such incidents, which he said will not be tolerated.

"It is an offence to possess an air weapon or imitation firearm in a public place.

"I can see no reason whatsoever why a person would feel the need to have such an item."