Abstract: A piezoelectric shear mode sensor element comprises a sensor block made of a piezoelectric material having an intrinsic polarization axis, wherein the piezoelectric material is also pyroelectric. The sensor block has in an axial direction axial ends and in lateral directions perpendicular to the axial direction lateral side faces. The sensor electrodes are adapted for capturing a shear mode sensor signal. The sensor element further comprises a discharge guard adapted to locally alter and/or rearrange charges so as to counteract pyroelectric displacement charges on the lateral side faces of the sensor block.