Officers seized more than 50 aerosol cans, canvasses and several computers in four swoops at houses in Peterborough and Norwich, in a crackdown on gangs who deface railway bridges, underpasses, homes and businesses with their ugly scrawls.

Detectives were hot on their trail after discovering a portfolio of photos showing their tags stretching from Orton to Stanground on the myspace website.

When they compared them to the images on the police’s graffiti database, they came up with a match and closed in on the suspects.

It is believed the Yo Team and Spoze are linked to more than 100 incidents of criminal damage across the city over 18 months, costing thousands of pounds in clean-up bills.

Police made four arrests during the raids.

Among the areas where the graffiti was found was on the A1139 parkway in Stanground, Ferry Meadows, the Orton Mere sluice, Boongate roundabout and scores of fences.

Today, police said they hoped it would send a strong message to yobs that their reckless actions would not be tolerated.

Inspector Karry-Ann Beeby said: “It’s a first for the northern division. It’s been a really good team effort with officers in Norwich and Peterborough working together to make the arrests and seizing property.

“We photograph every single piece of graffiti and will work tirelessly to find each person responsible.

“It’s an eyesore, not art, which damages other people’s property and lowers the tone of the city. It makes it look like Peterborough is a dangerous place to come to.”

She added: “There has been graffiti on railway bridges and under the parkway. We don’t want to see anyone killed.”

Pc Jon Talbot said: “People believe it’s lots of people responsible but it’s a small number with the same tags.

“Local people’s main concern is graffiti. It comes out at panel meetings, people don’t like to see it.

“It costs £300 each time to clean up for the council from businesses and homes.”

Insp Beeby said police were working with the council to put up graffiti walls in Orton.

Three two-sided panels are set to be unveiled on a piece of open space in Orton Goldhay which people can legitimately use for graffiti art.

Cllr Graham Murphy said: “I welcome this operation and I hope this is a resounding message that goes out to perpetrators of these malicious acts that tolerance has come to an end.”

Four males, one aged 19 and the other three in their 20s were arrested for criminal damage. They were being held in custody at Thorpe Wood police station.