A PUB landlord has blasted police for using over-the-top tactics during a raid on his premises.

Dave Simmons, who runs the Masons Arms in Bradford on Avon, said officers acted as if they were hunting for the Kray twins or Jamaican gangsters when they raided his pub on Friday night.

A team of officers from Melksham and Bradford on Avon were tasked with rooting out underage drinkers after a series of complaints from the public.

Three 17-year-old youths were found drinking alcohol on the premises. One was arrested and bailed on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. A forged ID card was also seized.

Mr Simmons said two van loads of officers arrived at the pub just before 9.30pm and 15 officers jumped out.

"They were totally out of order in the way they spoke to everybody," he said.

"They shouted at everyone to stop, including the staff. It was like we were the Kray twins or a group of Yardies.

"Everyone who wanted to go to the toilet was followed. They took everyone's particulars asking names, ages and skin colour.

"They were totally belligerent with everyone who wanted to move.

"We are very vigilant and do not serve underage people we ask everyone for ID. I want to know exactly what we have done wrong.

"There are people being attacked and mugged and all these officers descend on one pub."

Mr Simmons, who has run pubs in Bristol and Brixham, said he had never had reason to call out police during his time in the trade.

Police said they have received a series of complaints about the running of the Masons Arms over the past few weeks, mainly focusing on underage drinking.

Sgt Mark Rees said his officers have had to deal with large groups of drunken youths leaving the premises after-hours.

The trouble then spreads to town centre takeaways with incidents of criminal damage and violence.

Sgt Rees said there were similar operations in the pipeline.

"Local police officers will be conducting similar checks of other local licensed premises, particularly where they are shown to be managed in a manner that results in problems of anti-social behaviour for the local community," he said.