MAURA Higgins has spoken out about the moment she was grabbed by a stranger on the street in London.
She was walking when the bystander took hold of her arm, with the 30-year-old former Love Island star calling the behaviour “actively predatory”.
The man is shown talking hold of her wrist as she passes a car with an open door, but it is not clear what his intention was in doing so.
She then flung his arm away in a series of pictures captured by a photographer taking snaps of celebrities leaving a French restaurant in Mayfair after last week’s National Television Awards.
Speaking about the incident, Maura, 30, explained: “I would NEVER leave a venue alone at night because of this reason.”
She told fans: “For people that think this does not happen… I can assure you it does!!
“This guy that I have never met in my life grabbed hold of my arm and tried to pull me back towards his car.”
She added: “Luckily I had 2 girls walk with me to my car and I would NEVER leave a venue alone at night because of this reason.
“It’s actively predatory, repeatedly violating women’s personal space and boundaries.
“His behaviour is completely inappropriate and it’s crucial that we address the issue of street harassment.”
It is not known who the man is or why he took hold of her arm in the shots, which were taken at 3am on Thursday.
Maura attended the NTAs in a shimmering bra top and matching skirt, posing for pictures inside the awards, which were held at the O2 Arena in east London.
The star is in a relationship with Strictly Come Dancing pro Giovanni Pernice, who she recently declared her love for.
Posting as the Italian star turned 31 earlier this month she wrote on Instagram: “Happy Birthday to the man who makes me feel beautiful and loved every single day.
“You make my world complete. I love you
.”
