POLICE have apologised to an innocent businessman whose shop was raided by officers searching for drugs.

Mr Bashir, who did not want to give his first name, owns N & N News in Desborough Road which was raided by a dozen officers last Wednesday as part of Operation Video a crackdown on drug dealing in the area.

Superintendent Mick Tighe, head of crime and operations in the Chiltern Vale police area, said: "During a complex investigation into alleged drug dealing a large number of warrants need to be executed and on some occasions the owner of a property is clearly innocent of any wrong doing.

"I would like to apologise on behalf of Thames Valley Police to Mr Bashir and his family and for any distress the search may have caused to his premises."

The front door of the shop was broken when officers burst in, despite the fact it was open.

Police insist they had enough intelligence to justify the search of Mr Bashir's shop but confirmed he and his family had no knowledge of any drug dealing.

Inspector Richard List said police had had a positive response from shopkeepers and community leaders in response to the raids.

He said: "Like any of these operations there is some initial concern but once it is explained to them what we were doing the feedback was very positive."

"They are very keen to see that end of the street cleaned up.

"We had to search his shop to check it out. It is unfortunate that innocent people get involved but this shows what happens to neighbourhoods when they become infested with drugs."

Mr Bashir said their apology did not go far enough. He said: "They said they had good intelligence but they did not even know the name of the person living in the flat upstairs. This is not apologetic wording. I have been here for 20 years and I have not had links with any drugs."

Twenty-two people were arrested as part of the two-day operation. So far six have been charged and a number bailed.