Russell Brand has apologised for phoning the police with false information about a sex attacker during a stand-up show in Northampton.

The comedian called police while on stage on Saturday and said he had seen a man wanted for assaulting three women in recent weeks.

Brand started by reading media reports to the audience, detailing how the victims were assaulted in a town centre underpass.

After finding that the attacker was wearing an orange top and three-quarter length beige trousers, he commented: “However serious this sex attack was, the real crime was against fashion.”

He also asked: “What kind of sex attacker reneges at the first scream?”

Defending his humour, he told the audience: “I know it’s serious but the actual event doesn’t change whether we look at it humorously or seriously.”

Brand then borrowed a phone from an audience member, put on a women’s voice and called the Northamptonshire Police to tell them that he had spotted the offender.

"It's regarding the attacks in the underpass. I have got some information for you.

"I have seen a gentleman who fits the description. He was wearing a light green top and polka dot trousers and I thought, well look at the state of him."

After hearing the laughter of the audience at the Derngate Theatre, the police employee asked if he was making the call from home. Brand responded that the background noise was from his television and an episode of ITV drama The Bill.

The police call-taker ended the three-minute conversation after the comedian propositioned her and began to sing down the phone.

Northamptonshire Police would not comment on whether it was taking any action against Brand and refused to direct any criticism at the comedian.

But a spokesman said: "We would discourage anyone from making such hoax or frivolous calls."

The public were more forthright. Clips of the stand-up routine posted on YouTube attracted an array of criticism.

“Ill advised idiocy,” wrote one commenter.

“He should be roasted! Prosecute the idiot,” posted another.

Local newspaper The Northampton Chronicle and Echo received a raft of complaints about the prank, with one reader commenting: “Perhaps Russell Brand should speak to the victims and see if they think its funny!”

Apologising for the incident, Brand said: "I appreciate the seriousness of the issue and am devastated by the possibility that I may have offended vulnerable people.

"I maintain that through discourse we can illuminate these dark behaviours but that ought not to be at the expense of people's feelings."

Editor's choice

• The 100 Best Films of the Decade
• 70 facts you didn't know about Marvel
• The 50 Biggest Movies Of 2010