The head of the British Army has issued a stark warning to troops that he will not tolerate violent or sexual criminal behaviour after “a series of exceptionally serious allegations” were made against soldiers.

In an outspoken broadcast, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, said criminality among Servicemen is “downright unacceptable” and “damaged the reputation” of the British Army.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted his film online after it emerged six soldiers were arrested by military police over allegations of a sexual assault on a 17-year-old female soldier.

It was alleged that the woman awoke in her room to find the soldiers, members of a sports club who had been drinking, in her room.

The arrests prompted Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, to launch a review into bullying and harassment across the Armed Forces.