The cross-party Women and Equalities Committee is calling for written evidence on the scale of, and reasons for, pestering of females on the street, on public transport, in shops and bars and all public areas.

Last night the chairwoman of the committee, former Tory Cabinet minister Maria Miller, said: “We are putting a spotlight on a problem that seems to be so routine and yet has received very little attention in public policy. 

“We want to find out why it happens, what the Government is doing to root it out and what more can be done.” 

Annual reported sexual offences on trains have more than doubled in five years to 1,448, and in 2016 YouGov found 85 per cent of women aged 18 to 24 had experienced unwanted sexual attention in public. 

The inquiry comes amid continuing controversy over allegations at Westminster. 

Yesterday new Tory chairman Brandon Lewis said the party will expect all its election candidates to sign a pledge to “behave responsibly and show respect”. 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn “should be coming out and standing up to this”, he added. 

But Mr Corbyn replied: “It’s basic in the Labour Party. You treat people with respect and treat each other with respect.” 

He declined to condemn his Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell who, in 2016, described minister Esther McVey as a “stain on humanity”.