Meanwhile police defended the huge escort they provided to take her to the hospital.

Nearly a dozen officers on motorcycles, as well as more in police cars and in a pair of helicopters hovering overhead, shepherded her to the hospital.

Her visit drew complaints from neighbours who contacted the Federal Aviation Administration about the helicopters.

Police Captain Sharyn Buck said some people complained, but the motorcade was provided to get Britney through a paparazzi swarm without endangering her or the public.

"It’s not preferential treatment by the LAPD, it’s protecting public safety," Ms Buck said.

Britney in hospital for her safety - Jan 31 2008
Britney Spears has been taken to hospital amid fears she might harm herself.

The pop singer was escorted in an ambulance by more than a dozen police officers in cars, on motorcycles and in helicopters.

A police officer said the 26-year-old was being taken to "get help".

Celebrity websites reported that Spears was being placed on "a mental evaluation hold" in Los Angeles’ UCLA Medical Centre after her new psychiatrist felt she was a danger to herself and others.

Her mother, Lynne, was seen leaving its psychiatric hospital. Asked if her daughter was OK, she replied, "Yeah," before leaving in a Range Rover.

A few hours earlier the motorcade that pulled away from Britney’s home was nearly the length of a football field. Along with the ambulance, it included police on nearly a dozen motorcycles and in two cars. Two police helicopters followed overhead.

The scene was more controlled than the one earlier this month when Britney was taken away from her home in an ambulance.

On January 3, police were called to her home when she refused to return her two young sons, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James to ex-husband Kevin Federline, who has custody.

Police also went to Britney’s hilltop residence off Mulholland Drive on Monday night after someone reported a swarm of paparazzi trespassing in the singer’s gated community. When officers arrived, they did not see anyone trespassing, police said, but citations were issued for several illegally parked cars.

Britney taken from home in ambulance - Jan 31 2008
Britney Spears was taken from her home by ambulance early today, police in Los Angeles said.

An officer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the pop star was being taken to "get help" but did not say where the ambulance was taking her.

Earlier this month Britney was taken to a Los Angeles hospital by paramedics after police were called to her home because she allegedly refused to return her sons, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James to ex-husband Kevin Federline. She since lost custody and visiting rights with the boys.

Police also went to the home on Monday night after someone reported a swarm of paparazzi trespassing in the singer’s gated community. When officers arrived, they did not see anyone trespassing, police said, but tickets were issued for several illegally parked cars.

Britney has been in a highly public downward spiral since filing for divorce from K-Fed in November 2006.

Her bizarre antics include shaving her head, attacking a car with an umbrella and bringing along a paparazzo pal on trips to a courthouse in her custody case with her ex.

Britney allowed to speak to kids? - Jan 29 2008
Britney Spears has apparently learnt that she is allowed to speak to her two sons on the phone.

However, according to court documents released to celebrity website TMZ.com, she is still unable to have any physical contact with two-year-old Preston and one-year-old Jayden.