Ladies beware these upskirt blackspots

A babycare room in a Causeway Bay shopping mall is among 10 new "upskirting" blackspots highlighted by a political party.

Besides a focus on the facility on the first floor of the 18-story Windsor House, unsavory pointers also go in the directions of the K11 Musea mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tamar Park and the Nam Cheong and Austin MTR stations.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong also lists Ocean Center, Telford Plaza Phase II, China United Center, Citic Tower and a Starbucks outlet at Elements on Austin Road.

Reflective floors, glass doors, glass handrails alongside escalators and stairs make it easier for upskirting picture-taking at these venues, according to the DAB's annual report on favorite haunts for perverts.

Legislator Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan said it is particularly concerning that the nursery facility had to be added to the list.

"Many mothers will breastfeed babies there," she said. "Their privacy and safety should be guaranteed."

The room has a translucent door made of frosted glass that cannot be locked, Quat said.

And the door frame is made of stainless steel that can reflect images of people inside the nursery.

Quat suggested that anti-reflective material such as frosted stickers should be used on the door to better protect the mothers within.

Windsor House managers responded that they do not believe the room poses a risk of picture-taking, and they have not had any complaints about any such incidents.

"We have checked several times to make sure that once the door is closed nobody can peek inside," Windsor said in a statement, adding that the door can actually be locked.

Still, after seeking advice from the public staff have put plastic strips on the door frame and will use stickers on the glass.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which manages Tamar Park, said staff have not received any complaints over the glass barriers inside the facility.

Still, the department is arranging for more security guards in the park while balancing a need for people to be able to appreciate views of Victoria Harbour.

Quat also called for specific legislation against upskirting, saying the crime has been "increasingly rampant" in Hong Kong.

Citing police figures, the DAB said that 321 upskirting cases were reported last year compared with 301 in 2018.

About two out of five cases in 2019 happened on transport or at a rail station. There were 109 instances on the MTR.

People caught taking upskirt photographs can face charges such as outraging public decency and publishing obscene and indecent material if pictures are posted online.

They might also be prosecuted for obtaining access to a computer with dishonest intent, which is often used to deal with smartphone-related crimes.