Upskirting to become criminal offence carrying two year jail sentence as House of Lords backs bill

Upskirting is set to become a criminal offence in the spring, with the offence carrying up to a two year jail sentence.

A new law passed its final legal hurdle yesterday when it received its third reading in the House of Lords’ Upper Chamber.

The legislation is now only awaiting the formality of Royal Assent.

It comes after campaigners argued existing laws for voyeurism and public decency did not provide enough scope for a conviction.

Gina Martin was a victim of upskirting at a gig in Hyde Park and following this launched a campaign to make the act a sexual offence.

The campaigner, who lives in London, said she was “over the moon” that the bill passed its final stage in the Lords.

In a statement, she said: “We have change the law!! I always thought politics was impenetrable, but with the right help and the willpower you can do it.”