AN INVESTIGATION is continuing after reports of a man performing a sex act on himself in bushes next to a footpath in York.

North Yorkshire Police said on Monday they received reports of “a naked man” who approached a woman on a public footpath between Windmill Lane and the University of York at Heslington at about 3.45pm.

An update from the force on Tuesday described the suspect as "white, with pale skin and dark hair, aged in his 20s or 30s, and 6ft or taller", and "wearing a black padded jacket, black trainers and black or grey jogging trousers".

A spokesman said: "Officers conducted a full search of the area but were unable to locate the suspect, who is believed to have run off towards playing fields on Hull Road."

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, contacted The Press after speaking to police, to urge people to avoid the area.

She said: “He may have said something but I had my headphones in so I didn’t hear but he did look directly at me.

“I’m just concerned because that’s a very studenty area and lots of students have deadlines and walk through there to get to the library all the time. Students, be particularly careful and please don’t walk there at night.”

Anyone with information or who has been subjected to indecent exposure should phone 101 quoting reference 12190081708.