SIX people have been reported to police in Greater Manchester for upskirting offences in the past year, an investigation has found.

The figures were revealed as a a new upskirting law came into force across England and Wales on Friday.

Upskirting is defined as the “invasive practice of taking an image or video up somebody’s clothing in order to see their genitals or underwear”.

Anyone convicted of the offence could now face up to two years in prison.

Until yesterday, there was no specific upskirting offence in England and Wales but a Freedom of Information request revealed that last year, six incidents were reported to Greater Manchester Police, half of which were in March.

This included a “call made with good intent” to police, and another case of someone taking an upskirt photo while on the tram. Three of the incidents were not considered a crime, while there was no suspect identified in the other three ­— leaving police unable to prosecute.

Data obtained by the Press Association shows that pensioners and children as young as seven have reported being victims of upskirting.

Victims were targeted in shops, while at work, in the street and even at school during 2018, with only a handful of cases resulting in a criminal charge.

Previously, anyone who fell victim to the cruel craze could explore possible convictions for the likes of voyeurism, public disorder or indecency.

But campaigners said this was inadequate because criteria for a conviction down these channels ­— such as the incident being witnessed by other people ­— is not always available.

From April 12, judges in England and Wales will be able to sentence someone for the offence. Meanwhile, police will be able to arrest people on suspicion of upskirting from Friday.

The new law will see upskirting treated as a sexual offence and ensure that the most serious offenders are placed on the sex offenders’ register. An offender convicted at magistrates’ court could expect to be handed a sentence of up to one year in prison, while a more serious offence would carry a sentence of up to two years.