New Public Sexual Harassment Act

From Wednesday, 1 April 2026, a new sex‑based harassment law will come into force, giving police stronger powers to act against perpetrators who harass women and girls in public. 

The new law makes intentional harassment in public a criminal offence, sending a clear message that behaviours such as catcalling, flashing, following, threatening sexual behaviour and other forms of harassment will no longer be tolerated.

This legislation complements existing legislation to tackle transphobic harassment, and whilst the crimes it aims to target are most likely to affect women and girls, it applies to any gender-based harassment. 

When officers on duty are subjected to sexual harassment in public, this act will apply to them too – it is unacceptable to have to tolerate sexual harassment in the conduct of duty.

The law is designed to ensure officers have the power to step in earlier, stopping harassment from escalating into more serious violence. 

Perpetrators of public sexual harassment will face tougher consequences, including sentences of up to two years in prison.  

As we work to improve the quality of our service to victims of crime as part of New Met for London: phase 2, the Public Sexual Harassment Act marks an important step forward in our commitment to making London safer, particularly for women and girls. It sends a clear message – that harassment in our streets, public spaces, and transport networks will not be tolerated.