Internet "Gangstas" spark police probe

LONDON (Reuters) - Four fake "gangstas" have been arrested after posting footage of themselves brandishing weapons on the Internet, police said on Tuesday.

The two-minute clip, posted on YouTube, shows a hooded youth posing with a kitchen knife, a baton and what appears to be a pellet gun.

Set to dance music, the clip, titled Seacombe Ladz, also shows a fortified front door guarded by two docile, tail-wagging collies.

The footage then features three youths and a masked man standing in line, and the message: "Merseyside Police R Scum."

One of the participants appears to be wearing an electronic tag of the type issued to released prisoners.

Merseyside Police said they arrested four males aged between 15 and 20 on suspicion of firearms offence after watching the video. A gun was also recovered.

Police were able to trace the group partly because the clip included a shot that lingered on a street sign in Seacombe, the youngsters' home town.

"Any information that suggests unlawful use or possession of firearms, or other offensive weapons, will be vigorously followed up and investigated" Inspector Paul Farrar said. "This includes videos posted on the internet."

The clip has attracted more than 500 hits on YouTube, but viewers are not impressed.

One wrote on the Web site in text slang: "Seriously! tht is so embarrisin!! get a grip! think ur hard with a pellet gun! PLEASE!"

The four were released on police bail pending further inquiries.