POLICE are asking people to come forward after reports a man was verbally abused by builders in the street for wearing makeup.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it had received two reports that builders in Lansdowne Place had been abusing people in the street this week.

Posting on Twitter on Monday, a man said: “Just been harassed on Lansdowne Place by your hired builders because I wear make-up.

“This is supposed to be a city against these sh***y stigmas and yet you’re employing people that harass people outside their homes?”

A council spokesman said: “I'm really sorry to hear this, and I apologise on behalf of the council. You're the second person that's complained.

“I'll look into this now and let you know the outcome as soon as possible.”

The council official later clarified the builders did not work for the council, before passing the incident to Sussex Police.

The spokesman said: “I've checked and have been reliably told none of these people are council staff or people we have hired or subcontracted work to.

“I can only hope their real bosses find out and they are reprimanded for their abuse and harassment.”

The Public Order Act 1986 sets out that threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour may constitute a criminal offence.

The prosecution would have to prove the behaviour was likely to cause fear of, or to provoke, immediate violence; or intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress; or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

When contacted, a spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police are aware of reports of harassment in Lansdowne Place, Hove, circulating on social media.

“Our priority is keeping our local communities feeling safe and we will not tolerate abusive behaviour.

“We urge anyone with information to report it to us online or call 101 so we can investigate.”