THE boys in blue have caught up with four blue men - all of whom were dressed as Smurfs - who have been arrested over an assault at a Melbourne store.

A 37-year-old Pascoe Vale man was buying cigarettes at a convenience store when he was approached by a man painted blue and dressed as a character from the 1980s cartoon show, police say.

The Smurf asked for a cigarette and was offered one, but he demanded the man light the cigarette before handing it over.

The man refused and was later assaulted.