Police are investigating claims Katy Perry sexually assaulted the Australian actor Ruby Rose at a Melbourne nightclub more than a decade ago, allegations the American pop star strenuously denies.

Victoria police on Wednesday said in a statement: “Melbourne sexual offences and child abuse investigation team (SOCIT) detectives are investigating [an alleged] historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010.

“Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s CBD.

“As the investigation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Earlier this week, Rose claimed on social media that “Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a shit what she thinks”. Rose was commenting on a post detailing Perry’s reaction to Justin Bieber’s set at Coachella music festival.

Perry denied the claims, with a representative saying in a statement:

“The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies. Ms Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named.”

Representatives for Perry and Rose were contacted for comment.

Rose also claimed on the social media platform Threads that she had been planning to make a complaint about the incident to police. She had been in Melbourne recently, according to other social media posts.

Late on Tuesday, she posted: “Last update on this: As of this afternoon, I have finalized all of my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved.

“This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief.

“I can start the healing process now. And temporary [sic] move forward.”

In 2010, it was reported that Perry and Rose went out in Melbourne on the night of 6 August, including to Spice Market.

Perry “crashed” the Melbourne high school formal at the Grand Hyatt – where Spice Market was located – according to the story.