Troubled pop singer Britney Spears was taken from her Studio City house by ambulance early Thursday, according to Los Angeles police.

A police officer said the 26-year-old pop star was being taken to "get help" but did not say why officers were called to the house, nor where Britney was taken.

It is reported a few officers were sent to Britney's house about 12:55 a.m. Thursday.

Hours earlier, around 11 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a large group of people gathered outside near her home.

Singer Britney Spears poses backstage following the Baby Phat 2007 Fall collection during New York Fashion Week Feb. 2, 2007. (file photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

About 20 to 25 people were found near the house, but they appeared to be doing nothing illegal. They were asked to leave by the officers.

On the night of Jan. 3., the singer was taken to a hospital after a standoff in her home when she refused to return her two young sons, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, to ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Britney now still fights for her child custody right. The next hearing is set for Feb. 4, at which time Britney's attorneys will ask permission to withdraw from the case. A hearing on custody is set for Feb. 19.

After splitting up with Federline in 2006, Britney was frequently seen enjoying Hollywood nightlife. Her bizarre antics include shaving her head bald, attacking a car with an umbrella and bringing along a paparazzo pal on trips to a courthouse in her child custody case.

(Agencies via Xinhua February 1, 2008)