Chris Brown Latest Victim Of 'Swatting'

R&B singer Chris Brown has become the latest star to be caught by a prank known as 'swatting'.

Los Angeles police responded to a false emergency call reporting domestic violence at his home.

The incident happened around 5pm local time on Monday, but when officers arrived they discovered the singer was not at home.

Police searched the address, spoke to household staff and found no problems.

Swatters make false emergency calls, aiming to summon large numbers of police to the home of a celebrity.

The term comes from the specialised Swat (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams which often respond to serious incidents involving firearms or risk to life.

Brown, 23, was sentenced to five years' probation in 2009 for attacking his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna.

Last week, Los Angeles police also responded to a fake armed robbery call-out at Tom Cruise's house.

Other swatting targets have included pop stars Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, as well as Two and a Half Men actor Ashton Kutcher.

A 12-year-old boy was charged in relation to the Bieber and Kutcher incidents, in which there were claims of a threat from a gunman.

Police said he had made the calls via text, using a computer programme designed for hearing-impaired people.

There is no suggestion that the same boy is responsible for the latest swatting prank.