POLICE raided a pub in Edgware this morning in search for clues after a large amount of Asian gold was seized from a property in Watford on Monday.

Officers, from Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Met Police, searched The Masons Arms, in High Street, Edgware, after smashing through a side door with an “Enforcer,” or battering ram, at around 7.30am.

They believe the pub has been involved in handling high-value Indian gold jewellery and hope stamping out the trade will help curb chain snatches and burglaries during the Hindu festival Navratri.

Detective Inspector Gerry McDonald, of Herts Police, said: “We are fully aware of the potential increase in theft of gold and that's the reason we've started our operation.

“We are looking at who our handlers are and who our burglars are. If you have no handlers you have no burglars.”

Almost 30 officers surrounded the building, knocking on the door before forcing it open under the watchful eyes of one of the occupants.

Police found 12 people inside and expect to be at the scene for some time today.

A large quantity of gold jewellery was found in Oxhey on Monday, October 4 and officers believe it is connected to a criminal network which they claim the pub is part of.

The raid was part of a three-week operation which has already seen several arrests as well as the seizure of three cars, two Audis and a Mitsubishi.

The intelligence behind it came from police in both Harrow and Hertfordshire and both forces had officers on the raid.

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, said: “This is an example of where we have pooled our intelligence, looked at where we believe individuals who are committing burglaries are and utilised information from the public to conduct this raid.

“We are sending out a strong message. We are fairly confident this will have an impact and reduce burglaries and robberies.”