Raid of Sir Cliff Richard's home described as 'intrusive' by ex-South Yorkshire Police chief

David Crompton, who was head of the force at the time of the search, said he 'became very concerned' because the television coverage was 'something more' than he expected to see.

CRIME: Ex-sports coach charged with historic sex offences in Rotherham and DoncasterIn a witness statement to the High Court, where Sir Cliff is suing the BBC for a breach of privacy over its coverage of the raid, said: "I had thought that there may be some limited footage of my officers going into Sir Cliff Richard's property.

COURT: Sheffield man charged with attempted murder after 'targeted' slash attack"What I saw was much more extensive and I thought it was intrusive."

POLICE: Woman arrested over discovery of 50 cannabis plants in police blitz in SheffieldSir Cliff, aged 77, is claiming 'substantial' damages for what he says was a 'very serious invasion' of his privacy when the raid on his home was broadcast live by the in 2014.

The coverage included footage taken from a helicopter flown above the singer's home on a private estate in Sunningdale, Berkshire.

The BBC contends there was a 'legitimate public interest' in its coverage and is vigorously defending the case.

South Yorkshire Police raided Sir Cliff's home as part of an investigation into an allegation of a sexual assault on a teenage boy at a Christian event in Sheffield in the mid 1980s.

Details of the raid were provided to the BBC to prevent news of the police probe being revealed before officers could search the entertainer's home.

Mr Crompton said he first became aware that his officers would be investigating Sir Cliff in the summer of 2014 and was later told BBC reporter Dan Johnson was aware of the investigation.

He said: "I can remember very clearly thinking that there was a journalist who knew as much as I did about the allegations.

"This information was deeply concerning to me because I thought that a media report on a high profile case, which was in its infancy, could fatally compromise SYP's ability to carry out a thorough investigation which, as I have said, was my priority.

"The thought of a journalist reporting on the investigation before SYP had been able to conduct the search was a particular concern."

He said he believed the story was 'bound to come out' once the media were aware and he thought the BBC were likely to report it 'imminently'.

He added that providing the BBC with information about the search was a 'small concession' which he decided was necessary to 'protect the integrity' of the investigation.

Sir Cliff was accused of molesting a teenager at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane during a rally led by the Evangelical preacher Billy Graham in the 1980s.

But no charges were brought against the singer after an investigation lasting almost two years.

South Yorkshire Police paid £400,000 in damages to the singer in an out-of-court settlement.

The hearing is expected to conclude next week.