Police are searching a property in Berkshire belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged historical sex offence.

Items were removed from the property in the Sunningdale area for investigation. No arrests have been made.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said the allegation involved a boy under the age of 16 and dated from the 1980s in the South Yorkshire area.

Sir Cliff, 73, was not present at the time. He is rumoured to be in Portugal.

The BBC reports that eight plain clothes police officers arrived at the private estate in unmarked cars mid-morning.

Sir Cliff released a statement this afternoon after widespread media coverage of the search on his home, saying: “For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulated online.

“The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.

"However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear, to the press.

"I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will co-operate fully should the police wish to speak to me.

"Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."

Thames Valley Police confirmed that it had helped the South Yorkshire force with the execution of a search warrant at the address in Sunningdale, Berkshire.

Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Show all 22 1 /22 Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Richard aged 18 at the Hulton Boys and Girls Exhibition at Olympia's Disc Theatre in August 1959 when he was lead singer of the Drifters Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Pictured in 1962 with members of the Shadows, his backing group. Next to him is Bruce Welch, who played rhythm guitar Getty Images Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard With his backing group, the Shadows, Richard became a massive pop star in the 1960s with a string of hit albums and singles including ‘I love You’ (1960), ‘the Young Ones (1961), Bachelor Boy (1962) and ‘Summer Holiday (1963) Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard With his mother, Dorothy, and one of his sisters in 1964 Michael Stroud/Daily Express/Hulton Archive Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Outside the Royal Albert Hall where he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in October 1967 Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Cliff Richard in 1968 Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Cliff Richard poses in front of his disc awards in the 1970s Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard On stage at the 1981 Royal Variety Performance, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard In an interview with the Daily Mail in 2008, Sir Cliff is reported as saying: "Of all the women I've known, there were only two that I've come close to marrying. One was Jackie Irving, a dancer whom I met in Blackpool. She was utterly beautiful and for a while we were inseparable. The other girl I came close to asking was Sue Barker, whom I met in 1982" Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Orchestrating a round of singing as rain delays play during the 1996 Wimbledon tennis championships Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Performing a duet with Flemish singer Helmut Lotti during a rehearsal of Lotti's album and TV broadcast 'Pop Classics' on 6 August 2003 in Brussels Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Performing on stage during the 'Intelligent Finance Cliff Richard Tennis Classic' at Birmingham National Indoor Arena on 18 December 2004 Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Arriving with Brian May at the Royal Film Performance and World Premiere of 'The Chronicles Of Narnia' at the Royal Albert Hall on 7 December 2005 in London Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Unveiling a plaque of his handprints in Wembley Arena's Square of Fame on 9 November 2006 in London Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard and The Shadows performs live on stage at the O2 Arena in London on 28 September 2009 Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Cliff Richard attends a press conference to announce details of his new album at Gilgamesh on 7 March 2011 in London Getty Images Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Queen Elizabeth II is introduced to Sir Cliff Richard backstage after the Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace Concert on 4 June 2012, along with Sir Elton John, Sir Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, and Shirely Bassey Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Getty Images Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Performing on stage during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012 Getty Images Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Cliff Richard attends the 'Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel' show at Volkswagen Halle on 23 November 2013 in Braunschweig, Germany Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Richard, 73, is one of the most successful British recording artists Cliff Richard: Life in pictures Cliff Richard Sir Cliff, born Harry Webb, has sold an estimated 21.5 million singles in the UK and 250 million worldwide during a career spanning over 50 years Getty Images

In a statement, the force said: "South Yorkshire Police has gained entry to a property in the Sunningdale area of Berkshire.

"Officers are currently searching the property.

"A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time.

"No one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present."

The search is not connected to Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree, which was set up to investigate allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. Police confirmed officers from that operation had been notified.

Sir Cliff, born Harry Webb, has sold an estimated 21.5 million singles in the UK and 250 million worldwide during a career spanning over 50 years.

He shot to fame in the 1950s with his group The Shadows and was knighted in 1995. Sir Cliff also performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012 and represented the UK in the Eurovision Song contest twice.