Wolf-whistling is set to be banned in France as the government declares war on men hassling women in public.

Under new plans bugging women for their telephone numbers and following them could also be prohibited, The Sun reports

The crackdown comes after surveys show virtually all French women have been harassed on public transport, in the street or elsewhere at some time.

France’s new leader, President Emmanuel Macron, has pledged to end this during his election campaign this year.

Only a few countries, including Belgium and Portugal, have banned such behaviour.

The UK and others have broader laws against harassment in general but none so specific.

Some lawyers believe men should only be prosecuted when police officers witness an offence.

Others say women should be able to file criminal lawsuits against offenders at a later date.

But Marlène Schiappa, the under-secretary for gender equality, defended the plan and gave an example of behaviour that would be illegal.

She said: “You are a woman in an underground train. I am a man. I follow you.

“You get off the train. I get off.

“You get on another train. I get on too. I ask you for your telephone number. I ask again. I ask a third time.

“You feel oppressed. That is street harassment.”

Gilles-William Goldnadel, a lawyer, accused Ms Schiappa of seeking to outlaw “heavy Latin chat-up lines”.

He said the only consequences of the law would be to enrich feminist lawyers and to clog up the court system.

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