THUGS catapulted a stone which smashed the window of a busy Southampton pub just inches from where regulars were drinking.

The 4cm stone hit the window of The Ice House in Shirley Warren with such force that it bent the lead frame sending shattered glass flying inside.

Landlord Tony Johnson said it was lucky no one was injured by the missile, fired from a slow-moving car.

The great-grandfather is angry police have failed to visit the scene, despite being called minutes after the incident.

He said it was the third time in the last year that police had failed to show up after trouble flared at the pub in Warren Avenue.

Tony, who has run the pub with his wife Betty for 15 years, said: “We’ve had enough. Luckily there were no smokers out the front at the time, but all the same it was very frightening.”

He added: “The police said they were coming out straight away but then nobody showed up.

“All I want is a little bit of back up when we need it.”

The attack happened at about 6pm last Friday when up to 35 regulars were drinking inside.

Mr Johnson added: “We pay council tax and business rates that go towards the cost of police. But when we need assistance we don’t get it.”

Hampshire police were unavailable for comment.