Girl who called in the police after wolf whistles from builders
Poppy Smart: Claims she was left humiliated
WHEN Poppy Smart was wolf-whistled at by builders on her walk to work, she at first tried to ignore it.
But as the whistles and accompanying sexist comments turned into a daily ritual, the 23-year-old began to get upset.
Finally, after a month of unwanted attention from the men on the building site, the marketing co-ordinator decided she’d had enough – and called the police.
Miss Smart, who recorded the constant whistling using her smartphone’s video function, compared it to racial discrimination and said it made her walk to work in Worcester city centre an ‘awful experience’.
One of the workers even approached her on the pavement, blocking her way, before say- ing ‘Morning love’ after she had ignored a cacophony of whistling, Miss Smart said.
‘He was probably 18 or 19 and got right in my face, standing next to an older man. He didn’t touch me but they were in my personal space in the pavement, in my way, even though I literally blanked him.
‘It is incredibly intimidating. I’m quite a nervous person and this has made my anxiety worse.
‘I eventually contacted the building company and the police on the same day when it got so bad.
‘I even considered changing my route to work but thought, “Why should I do that?”.’
West Mercia police confirmed they had followed up Miss Smart’s complaint as a possible incident of anti- social behaviour but had not taken further action.
A spokesman said: ‘After consultation with the woman who reported the behaviour it was decided that the employers would deal with those said to be responsible.’
Although wolf-whistling is not a specific offence, workmen who repeatedly make obscene comments to passers-by could be convicted of a breach of the peace.
Miss Smart, from Worcester, said she had not seen the men responsible since she complained to the building company, Fimeca.
Sarah Green, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said said wolf-whistling represented ‘everyday sexism’ which should be stamped out.