Madonna stands by son Rocco after marijuana arrest

Madonna has said she will stand by her son, Rocco, after the 16-year-old was arrested for having marijuana.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday that the star's son with director Guy Ritchie was held on 28 September after police in London found cannabis in his rucksack.

The 58-year-old singer released a statement responding to the reports, calling the arrest "a family matter".

"I love my son very much. I will do whatever I can to give him the support that he needs, and I ask that you respect our privacy at this time," she said.

Rocco was arrested in Camden after neighbours reported him to the police.

"The arrest follows a stop and search by officers from Camden borough on Wednesday, 28 September," Scotland Yard said.

"Rocco was dealt with by way of Triage, which uses multiple strands to engage and educate young people in order to prevent re-offending."

The 16-year-old has been living with his father in London since a custody battle between the director and Madonna ended in September.

The dispute started when Rocco refused to live with his mother in New York, preferring instead to stay with Ritchie.

The case dragged for eight months, ending with the High Court Judge telling the couple they should sort things out between themselves.

Summer does not last forever. The boy very quickly becomes the man," Mr Justice MacDonald said at the time.

"It would be a very great tragedy for Rocco if any more of the precious and fast receding days of his childhood were to be taken up by this dispute."

Madonna and Ritchie married in 2000, splitting up eight years later.

Rocco's father has yet to comment on the arrest.