Police are investigating complaints that officers were "heavy handed" when they dealt with a mob of hooligans.

Drinkers in a public house in Brighton, said officers in riot gear charged the door with a battering ram before they could get out .

Police were attacked as Brighton and Hove Albion fans and Portsmouth supporters gathered in Brighton, several hours after the Seagulls played Pompey on Saturday.

The Railway Bell in Surrey Street, was trashed in the incident with yobs hurling chairs and glasses at officers.

Albion fan David Franks, 41, from London, turned up for a quiet drink in the pub.

He said: "At first, I didn't realise there were 20 or 30 people there who normally I wouldn't want to be in a pub with.

"Then, en-masse, they ran out of the pub, across the station area. We assumed there must be some Portsmouth supporters around. They then came running back into the pub again.

"Within one or two minutes, a whole lot of police officers seemed to be hemming everyone in. The atmosphere started to change. I did not dare go outside but I didn't want to stay inside either."

Adrian McHugh, 35, of St Aubyn's, Hove, said: "I was in there having a quiet drink, as most of the people were.

"Police were in the area. A group of lads went outside and one or two glasses were thrown. It is not something I would condone, but not a major incident.

"After a stand off of maybe half-an-hour, the police charged in. I have never seen such heavy-handed police action in my life and I have been going to football for 30 years."

Superintendent Peter Coll said: "We are still conducting our investigation and I would like to hear from all these people.

"My perception from the video evidence is seeing glasses and furniture thrown through the doors at the officers."