Voices on ... wolf-whistling

“Unwanted physical or verbal contact or engagement can cover wolf-whistling and similar types of contact. If the victim feels that this has happened because they are a woman then we will record it as a hate crime.”

Nottinghamshire Police

“How refreshing. We’ve got a massive problem with sexual harassment, such as sexting, in schools. If younger generations see misogyny being treated as a hate crime that sends a very powerful message ... encouraging women to come forward about more serious crimes too.”

Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society

“Any woman who’s been catcalled or groped by a stranger will be familiar with how deeply it can disturb. But in classing misogyny as a hate crime, we’re making women into a minority. We’re 51 per cent of the world’s population, not a sub-culture. Isn’t that train of thought misogynistic?”

Claire Cohen, The Telegraph

“By running to the police and reporting a ‘hate crime’, we run the risk of making the unfortunate chap who happened to wolf-whistle a passing girl angry and hostile. Result? Growing animosity between the sexes. [This] policy infantilises and patronises women. It is deeply demeaning to suggest we are too weak and enfeebled to deal with a casual remark or an unwanted advance.”

Belinda Brown, Daily Mail