Sinn Fein criticise police raid on Derry mayor 's home

The home of the mayor of Derry, Kevin Campbell, was raided by the police on Thursday night, Sinn Fein have said

Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney said laptops and mobile phones were taken away but the police gave no reason for the search.

It is understood a number of other homes were also raided in Londonderry but it is not clear if the searches were connected.

Mr Campbell was elected mayor in June. He lives in the Creggan estate.

Sinn Fein have described the raid as "inexplicable" and said the party will be demanding answers.

"There was contact with senior PSNI personnel explaining whose home it was," said Raymond McCartney.

"They were in his home for an hour and a half. In our opinion, they should not have been in his home."

Mr McCartney said the operation would cause "serious harm" to people's perception of policing in Creggan.

"In fairness, I would say that some of the PSNI personnel on the ground were accepting that this was a mistake.

"Despite our efforts to try and point this out, the officers in charge ignored whose home this was and instructed the people to search the house," he said.