WOLF WHISTLE TO BE MADE HATE CRIME

WOLF-whistling is set to be classed as a hate crime.

Any abusive behaviour “targeted towards a woman by a man” could be outlawed.

But the proposals are so far

From Page One ranging that lads could be dragged before courts and face serious sentences if they whistle at a woman and she calls police.

Workers who “objectify and harass” women in the streets face being cuffed and prosecuted, campaigners have warned.

New rules would make “behaviour towards a woman by men simply because they are a woman” equal to crimes where victims are attacked for their race, religion or sexual orientation.

A wolf-whistle would be unlikely to constitute a public order offence, but would be looked at more seriously if it formed a pattern of behaviour.

Incidents that could be looked at by police include harassment in the street, verbal abuse, unwanted physical approaches, taking photographs without consent or sending unwanted text messages.

Trialled by Notts Police, campaigners are now calling for the rules to go nationwide.

An open letter signed by several groups and faith leaders has demanded the National Police Chiefs Council make misogyny – or woman-hating – a crime.

But a study by the University of Nottingham said rank and file police officers considered the policy a “tick box” exercise which ate up time and resources. The Star Says: Page 6