a guard element having a deflector for covering the gap between an escalator step and an escalator side wall . the guard element comprises an elongate body portion which supports the deflector and an elongate mounting portion which is adapted to abut the escalator side wall . the body portion is provided with a formation which interengages with a corresponding formation provided on the mounting portion . in a preferred embodiment , the formation on the mounting portion comprises a t - shaped rib and the formation on the body portion comprises a t - shaped recess .