Police have apologised for providing “too much detail” in an appeal to help catch a man who performed a sex act in public.

North Yorkshire Police asked for the public’s help on Monday evening to find a naked, overweight suspect following an incident in York.

On Tuesday, the force said: “On the evening of 19 November 2018, we posted an appeal on Facebook to help identify a suspect in the York area who performed a sexual act in public.

“The appeal included a description of the naked man, which we accept went into too much detail.

“This has caused upset to a number of people who read the appeal and we unreservedly apologise for any offence caused.”

An apology from us to you… On the evening of 19 November 2018, we posted an appeal on Facebook to help identify a…

Posted by North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday, November 20, 2018

The apology continued: “The appeal was quickly removed and a more appropriately worded version posted on the force website.”

The revised appeal removed a description of the man’s sexual organs.

It said officers in York are investigating “a disturbing incident in which an overweight, naked man performed a sex act on himself in front of a woman student”.

They said this happened at 1.15pm on Sunday as the 20-year-old woman was walking alone on Windmill Lane and on to a woodland cycle path in the direction of Hull Road.

A spokesman said patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide public reassurance.

The suspect is described as white, with a very pale complexion, aged between 35 and 45, around 5ft 10in tall with a fat build.

Most of the people commenting on the revised Facebook appeal said they preferred the original.

One man posted: “I don’t see a problem with the original post. It certainly got the message out as everyone shared it. Once again the snowflakes get their way!”