Britney Spears - file

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Britney Spears has been sectioned.

The Toxic singer, who was removed from her home and taken to Los Angeles' UCLA Medical Center by ambulance at 4 a.m. yesterday, has been placed on a 5150 hold - a piece of U.S. legislation which means she poses a danger to herself and others.

No sleep

It is claimed the intervention was planned for days and was finally executed when Britney's condition deteriorated after she went without sleep since Saturday.

One source told gossip website TMZ.com: "When she was taken away she was non-responsive about the whole thing - out of it. She wasn't resistant, she was saying, 'Is something wrong?'

"She made hot chocolate and waited for paramedics to place her on a gurney."

The 26-year-old star was reportedly committed after her psychiatrist contacted the North Hollywood division of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and warned them "something must be done".

The psychiatrist, who visited Britney last night (30.01.08), was said to be concerned by the star's erratic driving in her new Mercedes and 'downhill behaviour' and recommended hospitalisation.

Britney's mother Lynne Spears, her cousin Alli Sims and manager Sam Lutfi all rushed to the star's home at around 1am last night.

Lynne is said to be furious with Britney's psychiatrist for calling the police, while Lufti fully supports the intervention.

Extreme tension

A source revealed: "There was extreme tension inside the house between Sam Lutfi and Britney's family. Lynne blames all this on Lutfi. Britney was screaming at her mom, 'Shut the hell up!' There was so much drama that cops were speaking in code. Britney's code name is 'The Package'."

Reports have surfaced the Piece of Me singer tried to commit suicide Wednesday night, but police insiders insist this is not true.

Britney, who was also placed on a 5150 hold earlier this month after she refused to hand her sons back to ex-husband Kevin Federline, had reportedly enjoyed a 'three-day crystal meth binge' before her police stand-off on January 3.

A source said: "Britney was high on meth and naked all day before the custody stand-off. Her erratic behaviour is the sign of her drug-addled descent into madness."

Britney can't be forced to take medication against her will for the first 72-hours of her stay at UCLA. If she still refuses to accept medication, her psychiatrist could ask a court to allow Britney to be held for another 14 days so she can be prescribed drugs.