We've all experienced the embarrassing, humiliating and generally awful moment the sound of a wolf-whistle comes from the side of the road. Our general response is to ignore it and start walking faster.

But a 23-year-old is making headlines this week after filing an official complaint to the police after being continuously wolf-whistled at by a group of builders whilst walking to work in Worcester. 

Poppy Smart (photo posed by model) said she felt upset and humiliated by “disrespectful comments” from builders she endured every morning for a month. 

She said that on one occasion, a builder stepped out into her path and said “'morning love” before laughing.

The woman, who works as a digital marketing coordinator, said her experience "got so bad" that she considered changing her route to work, but she asked herself 'why should I do that?'. 

One morning she secretly filmed them whistling and handed the footage to the police, explaining that such taunts were “the tip of the iceberg” and indicative of a much wider problem.

"People say it is only wolf-whistling but women shouldn't have to deal with it,” she told The Telegraph. "I think more women should speak out about this behaviour – maybe it will make people think twice.”

West Mercia Police questioned the construction firm on suspicion of sexual harassment and CCTV of the building site was studied to identify the culprits who were given official warnings by their employers.

It is believed to be the first time police have ever investigated wolf whistling as a potential crime.

The company also contacted Smart to make an official apology, which led her to drop the charges.

Smart hopes her story will prompt others to speak out. “Personally I don't think that such comments, even if they are considered complimentary by the perpetrators, are appropriate,” she said.

"Imagine hearing someone speaking that way to your sister, mother, wife or daughter."