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Proposals to jail people for up to two years for taking “upskirt” photographs are due to be put to MPs later this year.

Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who tabled the Bill, said changing the current law to make it easier to prosecute would allow the law to "catch up with technology".

It could also mean that members of the paparazzi would be prosecuted for taking shots of celebrities where their underwear is deliberately shown.

The move comes after data published by the Press Association last month revealed girls as young as ten among the alleged victims who have been targeted in public locations such as restaurants and festivals.

Campaigners said there are currently narrow avenues for prosecuting offenders within the current law, with concerns that a lack of legal protection for women is seeing offences repeatedly go unpunished.

What is upskirting The practice of taking an image or video up somebody's clothing in order to see their genitals or underwear.

But the amendment to the Voyeurism Offences Bill would make upskirting an offence in its own.

It would mean a person could be convicted for taking an image or video beneath a victim's clothing, to view their genitals or undergarments, without consent.

The image would fall foul of the law if it was used for sexual gratification or if it caused humiliation, distress or alarm to the victim.

"It is a vile, discriminating and outrageous practice." Wera Hobhouse, MP

A suspect could be convicted even if they failed to capture an image - the intention to film would be enough to secure a prosecution.

Ms Hobhouse said: "It is, on the face of it, a vile, discriminating and outrageous practice. I personally have not - fortunately - had this unpleasant experience, but it is just outrageous, it is humiliating for anybody who has that happen to them and it has a deep impact on them.

"It is so obviously in your face a wrong thing and yet our law has not kept up with this practice."

Bath MP Ms Hobhouse said anyone convicted of upskirting could face a two-year jail term at crown court.

"I can't think anybody in their right mind would be against it,” she said. “It is actually just a very small change in the law and would make a big difference to thousands of women who currently are unprotected and suffer harm."

Upskirting - the legal details In Scotland there have been laws on upskirting for almost decade but laws in England and Wales has not adapted to advances in technology. Currently, anyone in England and Wales who falls victim to it explore possible convictions for voyeurism, public disorder or indecency. But campaigners say this is inadequate because criteria for a conviction down these channels - such as the incident being witnessed by other people - is not always available. According to the Bill, the new law would mean a person would be convicted of upskirting if they take an image or video beneath a victim's clothing, to view their genitals or undergarments, without consent. The image would fall foul of the law if it was used for sexual gratification or if it caused humiliation, distress or alarm to the victim Those convicted of upskirting at a magistrates court would receive a jail term of up to 12 months or a fine. At the crown court, where the more serious cases are heard, a conviction will attract a jail term of up to two years.

Clare McGlynn, professor of law at Durham University, said praised the bill as being the “first step towards modernising our laws to protect and support victims of image-based sexual abuse”.

“But more needs to be done,” she added. "Upskirt images taken for financial gain or entertainment still won't be covered. Sharing upskirt images will only be covered where the perpetrator did so to cause direct distress to the victim.

"Photoshopped images are not covered, nor are threats to distribute without consent. We need a comprehensive and modern law that covers all forms of image-based sexual and supports victims."