London's Metropolitan Police has received a report of an alleged sexual assault following news reports about Russell Brand.
The 48-year-old comedian and actor has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.
Mr Brand vehemently denies the allegations and said all of his relationships have been "consensual", in a video posted online.
The Met said they have now received an allegation of sexual assault in Soho, central London, in 2003.
In a short statement, the force said: "On Sunday September 17, the Met received a report of a sexual assault which was alleged to have taken place in Soho in central London in 2003.
"Officers are in contact with the woman and will be providing her with support.
"We first spoke with The Sunday Times on Saturday September 16 and have since made further approaches to The Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offence is aware of how to report this to the police."
The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches and include allegations of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.
The BBC said it is "urgently looking into the issues raised" while Mr Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008.
Channel 4 announced it is conducting "its own internal investigation" following the allegations.
A Channel 4 statement added: "We will be writing to all our current suppliers reminding them of their responsibilities under our Code of Conduct, as we are committed to ensuring our industry has safe, inclusive and professional working environments."
It comes after Mr Brand was accused of pursuing audience members for sex while presenting Big Brother spin-off shows on Channel 4.
A researcher alleged that concerns about Mr Brand’s behaviour were reported to production managers at Endemol, the company commissioned by Channel 4 to produce the programmes in 2004 and 2005, but were dismissed.
Banijay UK, which bought Endemol in 2020, later announced it had launched an "urgent internal investigation".
Since publication, The Times said it has been contacted by "several women" with allegations about Mr Brand, but the paper said their allegations have not yet been investigated and "will now be rigorously checked".
The Metropolitan Police said it will speak to The Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that people who they have interviewed "are aware of how they may report any criminal allegations to police".
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) told the PA news agency that they do not have an open investigation into Mr Brand, and another confirmed there had been no arrests following two allegations that are said to have happened in the US.
An official spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "These are very serious and concerning allegations.
"The Met Police has asked anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward to speak to officers.
"As the Foreign Secretary said over the weekend, people should feel able to raise concerns where they have them and know they will be treated seriously and treated with sensitivity.
"The Prime Minister has been clear there should never be any space for harassment, regardless of where it is found."
Downing Street urged the BBC and Channel 4 to set out the results of their investigations into Mr Brand "transparently".
Source: Press Association
