A man in his 50s from Gloucester has been arrested following reports of secret filming of women in Cheltenham town centre earlier today. The incident, which occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, involved the use of a small camera to film women without their consent — an act known as upskirting.
Gloucestershire Constabulary responded promptly to the report, detaining the suspect on suspicion of voyeurism. He is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Authorities have emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents, as cases of upskirting often go unreported due to embarrassment or fear.
“Increasing patrols are being conducted in Cheltenham town centre to enhance public safety,” said a Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson. “We urge anyone who may have witnessed similar incidents or has relevant information to come forward and assist our inquiries.”
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Those wishing to provide information can do so online by filling out the police’s dedicated form and quoting occurrence number 53260039601 or by calling 101 with the same reference.
The offence of upskirting was established under the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which took effect after substantial campaigning led by activists like Gina Martin. The legislation makes it illegal to photograph or film underneath a person’s clothing without their consent, punishable by up to two years in prison and mandatory registration on the sex offenders list.
This law was introduced following the tireless efforts of victims, MPs, and charities aiming to protect individuals from invasive violations and online exploitation. Cheltenham police remain committed to enforcing the law and supporting victims through ongoing community engagement and additional patrols.