Django Unchained actress Daniele Watts has said she was misidentified as a prostitute by police when she was only showing affection to her companion.

The Los Angeles Police Department said that officers detained Daniele and her companion last week after a complaint that two people were "involved in indecent exposure" in a silver Mercedes.

Daniele was detained until police determined no crime was committed.

On a Facebook page that appears to be associated with the actress, she said she was guilty only of showing affection in public.

Her companion wrote on the social media site that because she is black and he is white, onlookers assumed them to be a prostitute and client.

Police said an internal investigation has been launched.