U.S. singer Chris Brown has canceled his upcoming U.K. tour after Britain's Home Office declined to issue him a visa to enter the country, the BBC said.

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"We reserve the right to refuse entry... to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offense. Public safety is one of our primary concerns," the Home Office said in a statement Tuesday. "Each application to enter the (United Kingdom) is considered on its individual merits."

Brown, 21, pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Rihanna, in February 2009. He was subsequently sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor.