College bans girls from wolf-whistling at builders

Girls at a further education college have been barred from wolf whistling at builders.

An email says that such behaviour is "totally unacceptable" and warns that any students caught harassing the contractors will face disciplinary action. Yet not a single builder at West Kent College in Tonbridge, Kent, has complained.

Many who got the email thought it was a spoof, but a college insider confirmed it was serious, and revealed: "It's all the work of one overzealous member of staff."

The email was sent after a demolition team started work on the £94million, three year building project at the campus. It said: "It has come to the attention of the college that some female students have been making comments to, or whistling at, the builders both whilst on site and as they walk around the campus. Although we are sure no offence is meant, this constitutes harassment and is wholly unacceptable."

It goes on to warn girls: "We have asked the contractors' representative to pass on all instances of harassment to the college and we will take appropriate action which may include disciplinary action."

A spokeswoman for the contractors, Galliford Try, said: "We have no registered complaints on this issue. However we do not condone inappropriate behaviour from any parties on our sites."