We are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine what, if any, further action is necessary

New Scotland Yard spokeswoman

Brass Eye, written and fronted by Chris Morris, caused a storm of public and media protest when it was broadcast on 26 July at 2235 BST and repeated the next night at 0010 BST.

It is currently under review by two broadcasting watchdogs after it prompted thousands of complaints from viewers, as well as from several celebrities claiming they were duped into taking part.

The police spokeswoman told BBC News Online: "The Metropolitan Police Service has received a complaint from a member of the public in connection with the matter.

"We are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine what, if any, further action is necessary."

Singer Phil Collins says he was fooled into taking part

The show based its satire around what some consider to be the hysterical over-reaction of the media to paedophiles.

It included mock TV news reports into suspected paodophiles, their behaviour, and how the public should take measures to keep their children safe.

But Channel 4 told BBC News Online it would continue to support the show, which was making an important point about the way the media sensationalised and exploited paedophilia.

"The channel stands by its decision to commission and broadcast this programme, which, through savage satire, sought to make a serious point," said a Channel 4 statement.

Morris fronted the pioneering news spoof The Day Today

"Chris Morris was not making light of paedophilia; his target was the dangerous sensationalism and exploitation that can characterise media coverage of the issue.

"As commentators have already noted, some of the more outspoken reaction to the programme only underlines the validity of the point it was making."

Several celebrities and MPs were featured in the programme, including singer Phil Collins, who was fooled into backing its fictional "Nonce Sense" campaign.

The Broadcasting Standards Commission and the Independent Television Commission received more than 2,500 complaints about the programme.

Support

Channel 4 also said it had received 3,000 complaints.

The majority of protests focused on Brass Eye's apparent mocking of a serious and sensitive subject.

Some complainants were also concerned about the involvement of children in the programme.

Many also criticised the decision to repeat the programme.

Both Channel 4 and the ITC also said recently they had received hundreds of letters of support for the show.

The programme was made to herald a rebroadcast of the original current affairs satire Brass Eye four years ago.

In that series, a list of public figures were persuaded to take part in entirely fictional campaigns against such dangers as a drug called cake and human shrinkage due to "heavy electricity".

Morris, who began in BBC local radio has repeatedly been criticised for his work but also receives high critical praise.

Following the Brass Eye programme, the ITC reassured the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell that it would be looking into the complaints throughly.

The government denied it wanted to act as a censor after ministers including Ms Jowell criticised the show, but said regulations could be reviewed.

Later this month, Ms Jowell and other high profile delegates will also debate industry regulation at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.