Staring at Tube travellers could earn conviction for harassment

STARING is sexual harassment, London commuters have been warned, as police have told train passengers not to look at each other in an “intrusive” manner.

Seven new posters have started appearing in stations across the capital as part of a Transport for London (TFL) campaign against “common examples of sexual harassment” – including catcalling, rubbing against someone on purpose, cyber-flashing, upskirting and inappropriate touching.

Also on the list is “staring”, with one poster telling travellers “intrusive staring of a sexual nature is sexual harassment and is not tolerated”.

The poster, which features emblems for the Mayor of London and British Transport Police, tells Londoners to

‘I saw the advert on the Tube and thought it was a joke – then I went online and saw that it was real’

report incidents they witness to the authorities. TFL said that “the strongest possible action will always be taken”.

The poster has faced criticism for being “extremely vague” and potentially incriminating innocent people.

Esther Krakue, a 26-year-old broadcaster from north London, said: “I saw the advert and thought it was a joke. Then I went online and saw that it was real. Staring of sexual nature...

“How do you even define that? How would this stand up in a court of law? It’s extremely vague.”

While several police forces include staring in their definition of sexual harassment, no successful convictions are believed to have occurred.

Lois Mclatchie, 26, a communications officer for a legal advocacy organisation said while the campaign was “well-intentioned”, police officers “have been given an impossible mindreading task in being asked to determine whether somebody on the Tube is staring innocently or intrusively”.