Three Sunderland footballers were facing disciplinary action today after being cautioned by police for taking pot shots at passers-by with a ball bearing gun from a moving car.

Armed police arrested up-and-coming squad players Chris Brown, 19, Ryan Bell and Sean Taylor, both 18, after reports of three men driving around the Sunderland area shooting at pedestrians.

No one was injured but police seized a ball-bearing gun - adapted to fire paintball pellets - and the trio have all accepted cautions for public order offences.

A club spokeswoman said: ''Sunderland Football Club cannot condone such behaviour and takes this incident very seriously.

''The individuals involved have apologised for their actions which they realise were both irresponsible and unacceptable.

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

The incident begin at 6.40pm yesterday when Northumbria Police firearms officers were scrambled to Durham Road after reports a girl had been hit with a plastic pellet fired from a Renault Clio.

While police were investigating, a further call was received from a woman saying she had been shot at in Dykelands Road, Seaburn.

Armed officers surrounded a car shortly after and arrested the three players and seized the weapon.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Saturday night, 18-year-old youth player Niall Flynn was arrested on suspicion of assault, public order and motoring offences after a man was allegedly hit with a missile fired from a passing car.

Police said the Dublin-born midfielder was bailed pending further inquiries into the incident on Whitburn Road, Whitburn.

The 40-year-old victim, who was walking with his daughter, suffered a minor injury to his arm in the alleged attack.

Centre forward Brown is the son of former Sunderland ace Alan Brown and was promoted to the first team squad this season while youth team players Taylor and Bell are both defenders.

Inspector Paul Telfer, of Northumbria Police, said: ''There are obvious dangers to this sort of activity, which 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.

''Firing a weapon from a moving car can cause other vehicles to take evasive action that may cause an accident.''

The officer added: ''It is often young people who have air weapons in a public place and they face the real possibility of being confronted by armed police, putting themselves at unnecessary risk.''