LONDON - The Metropolitan Police have announced a criminal investigation into David Walliams over alleged sexual misconduct, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reported that Walliams, 55, has been accused by multiple women of using his power and celebrity status to prey on young women.

The newspaper said police describe the allegations they are examining as "separate from those made by multiple women in Guardian and ITN investigation." The Guardian's headline refers to ITN, while its summary names ITV News as the broadcaster in the joint reporting.

ABC News reported that London police say they are investigating Walliams, described as a children's author and television personality, for "serious sexual offenses" after news outlets reported allegations of misconduct. The ABC News summary does not say when the allegations were first reported.

PBS NewsHour, in a report by Brian Melley of The Associated Press, said the Metropolitan Police had received a number of allegations of "past abuse" following the joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian newspaper. The report is attributed to PBS NewsHour.

The reports describe the allegations in different terms. The Guardian refers to sexual misconduct, ABC News to serious sexual offenses, and PBS NewsHour to past abuse. None of the summaries say whether charges have been brought.

Sources: The Guardian: Met police launch investigation into David Walliams allegations; ABC News: UK police launch sex offense investigation into author, TV personality David Walliams; PBS NewsHour: UK police launch sex offense investigation into children's author and TV personality David Walliams.