THIRTY-FIVE per cent of girls in school uniform say they have been sexually harassed in public.

The unwanted attention included being groped, stared at and catcalled.

One in eight said it began at 12 or younger.

One in seven girls were followed and eight per cent filmed or photographed by a stranger, according to the poll of 1,004 14 to 21-year-olds for Plan International UK.

The charity is urging the Government to recognise harassment as gender-based violence. Chief exec Tanya Barron said: “It’s just not acceptable.”