Police force defends its approach to wolf-whistling complaint

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/resou...ype=0&type=mc2

IT is the story that has gone viral, featuring on the front pages of The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail and even being debated on ITV’s Loose Women.

Your Worcester News reported on Monday (April 27) that 23-year-old Poppy Smart was so fed up with wolf-whistling and unwanted attention from builders in Worcester that she reported the matter to police.

West Mercia Police has come under fire for investigating the claims and has been accused of getting its priorities wrong.

In the Daily Express, West Yorkshire parliamentary candidate Philip Davies spoke out against the force’s actions while several critical comments from newspaper website users were also printed.

But West Mercia Police has strongly defended its approach.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "No-one should be made to feel unsafe and it is only right that we look into matters of harassment that are reported to us.

“Incidents such as these are dealt with on an individual basis to ensure an appropriate policing response and this is done with the victim in mind.

“In this instance it was decided, in conjunction with the victim, that no further action was required.

"We would always encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of harassment to contact us."

Source: worcesternews