POLICE are investigating further complaints from people struck by airgun pellets, having already arrested four Sunderland footballers following similar incidents.

The Northumbria force warned yesterday that further arrests could be made following further reports from other victims who claimed to have been targeted by men shooting pellets from passing cars in the Sunderland area.

Sunderland AFC is also investigating the incidents and last night the club revealed it has suspended the players allegedly involved.

Two pensioners are understood to have come forward with the latest complaints following news of three similar incidents, which led to the arrest of four youth team players.

Striker Chris Brown, 19, a recent first team substitute, plus 18-year-old defenders Ryan Bell and Sean Taylor, all apologised after being arrested on Monday evening when armed police surrounded a car in Seaburn, Sunderland, which the players were travelling in.

The players were cautioned following reports of people being hit, but uninjured, in drive-by-style shootings, with a BB-type air weapon, in the Plains Farm and Seaburn areas of the city.

In a previous incident, on Saturday evening, 18-year-old Niall Flynn, who is also a Republic of Ireland under-19 international, was arrested after a 40-year-old man, who was walking with his daughter, suffered an arm injury after being shot with an air pellet fired from a passing car, in Whitburn Road, Sunderland.

The player has since been bailed to return to a police station in the city later this month.

A spokesman for the Northumbria force said yesterday: "Since these offences came to the notice of police, we have received further reports from members of the public in relation to similar incidents."

A statement issued by Sunderland AFC last night said: "They will be made unavailable for selection for any fixtures and have been suspended from normal duties until the investigation, which may result in disciplinary action, has been concluded.