A man seen lurking around pop star Britney Spears' home in Hollywood Hills was detained briefly by private security guards but released after caretakers declined to press charges, police said on Wednesday.

Police were called to Spears' property on Monday by security personnel who reported detaining a prowler they found illegally trespassing during the weekend, said Los Angeles police officer Don Cox.

Police let the unidentified man go after caretakers of the home "refused to prosecute for trespassing, so there was nothing we could do," Cox said. No charges were filed in the incident.

Spears was in New York City on Monday being feted as the 'Fun, Fearless Female of the Year' by Cosmopolitan magazine, which features the 20-year-old pop princess on the cover of its latest issue.

In an interview on Wednesday with the syndicated television show Extra, Spears said that the home's security system had been inadvertently turned off during the weekend, "but they got the guy." Extra reported the intruder apparently had taken temporary shelter in the home's garage.

Asked if she felt comfortable following the incident, Spears replied, "Well, this is the first time something like this has happened, so it makes you appreciate your security and the people that are protecting you."

Spears, who appeared with boyfriend Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, is promoting her upcoming feature film debut, Crossroads. Britney Spears