POLICE are literally showing the yellow card to World Cup yobs in a violence crackdown.

Anyone causing trouble in five East Lancashire town centres are being hit with 48-hour bans from the area.

But, in the spirit of the footballing showcase, police have drafted the notice on a referee's yellow card with a map on the back showing where they are banned.

So 20 cards have been issued in the centres of Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood and Rishton.

Plans are now in place to roll the scheme out across the Eastern Division, including Blackburn and Darwen.

And it may continue after the tournament ends on July 11 after police said it proved a success, with only one person being arrested for breaching his ban.

Sergeant Graham Brownsmith of Accrington police, said: “I don’t know of anywhere else where there has been a leaflet like ours produced.

“The powers have existed before, but the yellow cards are all about making it easier for people to understand, and officers to explain.

“Police forms are notoriously lengthy and not easy to read and understand by people who have had a bit to drink.”

The bright yellow ‘Direction to Leave’ cards are pocket-sized and contain information on the ban, a map of the area the person is restricted from, and consequences of non-compliance.

The scheme uses powers brought in under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. Anyone who fails to comply with the direction will be arrested and faces a fine of up to £2,500.

Sgt Graham Brownsmith added: “This is about preventing violence later.

“The cards are given to people who we think are showing signs of aggression and the potential to cause problems.

“They will be told that, although they haven’t committed a Drunken Disorderly offence, we don’t want it to develop into one.

“There is an old police saying that drunken disorderly at 9pm becomes a 2am assault.

“So far people have responded very well and understand what we are trying to do.

“I would ask anyone who is given a yellow card, to take it in good grace and heed the warning.”

Although cards produced show a map of one of the Hyndburn town centres, there is space for officers to write details of any other area a person can be banned from.

The cards have been funded by Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership.