A man is one of the first in the country to be fined for catcalling a woman as part of an undercover police operation.
Enforcement officers witnessed a woman being harassed and detained the man responsible.
He was then given a £100 fine in Ilford, east London, on December 16.
If the man does not pay within 28 days he will face court and a potential prison sentence.
It is part of the Redbridge Council’s public space protection order (PSPO) in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, which has been brought in to prevent catcalling and harassment.
Officers also arrested a man as part of the investigation for domestic violence-related assault and possessing a weapon.
Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal said: ‘We are the first council in London using our public space protection order to enforce against catcalling and harassment.
‘We’re supporting covert police operations in the borough to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
What constitutes catcalling?
Catcalling is the act of shouting harassing and often sexually suggestive, threatening, or derisive comments at someone publicly.
It is often done loudly or raucously by the perpetrator in a public setting which is designed to make someone uncomfortable.
Catcalling is different to complimenting, which is often done by friends who are known to one another already.
Catcalling on the other hand is often directed at random strangers who are unknown to the perpetrator.
‘This fine is a strong start and will serve as a statement of intent. We will not tolerate harassment of women and girls and will target those men who do not heed this warning.
‘We’re reclaiming our streets for our local communities and ending the culture of misogyny that starts with harassment and escalates to violence.’
Councillor Khayer Chowdhury added: ‘This is a working partnership between Redbridge Council and the Met Police to tackle the on-street harassment of women and girls – a commitment we made as part of our response to the Redbridge Crime Commission.
‘Women and girls have an absolute right to walk our streets without being catcalled and harassed by men and working with the police, and we are showing zero tolerance.’
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