Police are seeking information on a man who sparked a large coastguard search and rescue operation yesterday.

Emergency services received reports of concern for a man in the water in Selsey yesterday, December 1, at around 12.30pm, triggering a search involving coastguard rescue teams, a helicopter, the RNLI and Sussex Police.

Police have reported that a man was seen exiting the water in distress.

The coastguard helicopter searching overhead The coastguard helicopter searching overhead (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)He is described as between 20 and 30-years-old, with black hair and tattoos on his wrists. He was also wearing a blue top and black trousers.

READ MORE: Recap: Search for person in water underway

The search was stood down at around 3.30pm. HM Coastguard reported that following the “thorough search” the man was seen leaving the area and no one was found to be in distress.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Further enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances, and if you witnessed a man entering or exiting the water, or have any information, we ask you contact police online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 521 of 1/12.”

Pictures from the scene show a search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent overhead, alongside coastguard rescue teams from Littlehampton and Selsey.

An RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also sent from Selsey to assist.