Bar manager says "it's about time" police took non-contact sexual offences "seriously"
West Midlands Police are set to receive more training on how to deal with incidents
A bar manager in the West Midlands has told us it was "about time" police took non-contact sexual offences "seriously".
It comes as West Midlands Police officers will be given more training on how to handle the offences, including up-skirting and voyeurism.
Police across England and Wales will also benefit from the extra training.
Joe Harris manages a number of bars in Wolverhampton, as well as dealing with security in bars in Birmingham.
"A lot of women just put up with it"
He told us that these types of offences are all too familiar in the night-time industry:
"It happens so much. A lot of women will just put up with it because they are used to it happening to them.
"Obviously the police should be there when it escalates, but there needs to be more education on a lower level than police.
"Managers, security staff, bar staff, shopping centres and hospitals all need to know the boundaries," he said.
Joe said it is as simple as explaining boundaries and what is acceptable.
"I think it is important for police and other authorities to make it known that there is a boundary. Not just in night life but in work places too, including offices," he said.