FOUR Burnley fans were arrested by police as part of a series of dawn swoops across the country.

The men were all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following the World Cup qualifying football game between England and Wales last October 9 at Old Trafford.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Lucas, which was launched by Greater Manchester Police after the disorder which followed the match in Manchester.

A total of 28 people were arrested in today's raids, including suspected hooligans from Cheshire, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire, as well as the four from East Lancashire.

They were all identified after a six-month operation by GMP and football intelligence officers from other forces, including Lancashire, to pick out the suspected hooligans from CCTV footage.

Police said all four were known to follow Burnley Football Club.

Officers from across the county raided addresses in Burnley and Bacup as part of the co-ordinated 6am swoop.

A 26-year-old and two 21-year-olds from Burnley and a 45-year-old from Bacup were arrested. A fifth man was being sought.

The men were all taken to Greenbank police station in Blackburn where they were due to be interviewed by officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Chief Inspector Chris Bithell said: "Football related violence will not be tolerated by GMP or any other

police force in the UK. Football is a sport that everyone should be able to enjoy and it should not be blighted by mindless hooliganism.

"A dedicated team of detectives from GMP have worked closely with football intelligence officers from the eight other forces over the last six months to identify the people believed to be involved in the disorder after the England and Wales game. The groups of men are believed to have been affiliated to different UK football clubs.

"Today's arrests send a clear message to those thinking of getting involved in football violence, you will not get away with it and we are fully determined to eradicate this type of behaviour."

Ten people involved in the disorder still need to be identified and police from Operation Lucas will be at the World Cup qualifier between England and Northern Ireland at Old Trafford on Saturday to try and spot the suspects.