British police have launched a sex crimes investigation into comedian Russell Brand after receiving multiple allegations of sexual offenses. The investigation was prompted by a Channel 4 television documentary and articles published in The Times and Sunday Times newspapers. No arrests have been made at this time.

Brand, 48, vehemently denies the allegations made by four women. One woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by Brand when she was 16 during a relationship with him. Another woman alleges that Brand raped her in Los Angeles in 2012. Last week, a woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her in 2008. She stated that Brand laughed about the incident on his radio show shortly after it occurred.

Although the Metropolitan Police did not directly name Brand in their statement, they referred to the recent articles and documentary. Detectives are currently investigating allegations of “non-recent” sexual offenses both in London and other locations. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, encourages anyone who believes they may have been a victim to come forward.

Brand, known for his provocative standup routines, rose to fame in the early 2000s as a major star in the U.K. He hosted radio and television shows, wrote memoirs chronicling his struggles with substance abuse, appeared in Hollywood films, and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry. While he has largely disappeared from mainstream media, Brand has amassed a large online following with videos focusing on wellness and conspiracy theories.

Last week, YouTube announced that it would suspend monetization of Brand's channel, which has 6.6 million subscribers, due to the "serious allegations" against him. The decision aligns with YouTube's creator responsibility guidelines policy, according to CEO Neal Mohan. Brand has also faced consequences in the live performance arena, with several scheduled shows canceled and his talent agency and publisher dropping him.

Despite these setbacks, Brand still maintains a presence on the video platform Rumble, where he has 1.6 million followers. Rumble has faced criticism for allowing and promoting disinformation and conspiracy theories. Brand hosted a new broadcast on Rumble, praising the platform's commitment to free speech.

Senior British politicians have called for a thorough investigation into the allegations against Brand. The U.K. entertainment industry is facing scrutiny over whether Brand's alleged misconduct went unchallenged due to his fame. The accusers, who have chosen to remain anonymous, include a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by Brand when she was 16.

The Metropolitan Police's Central Specialist Crime Command, led by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, is leading the investigation into the allegations against Brand. As the investigation unfolds, the public is encouraged to come forward with any information or additional allegations.