Surrey police pose as female joggers, arrest 18 in catcalling crackdown as study reveals two-thirds of women runners face harassment

Surrey Police have arrested 18 people in a month-long undercover operation aimed at tackling harassment of women exercising in public. Female officers in running gear posed as joggers in identified harassment hotspots during rush hour, allowing specialist units to intervene quickly when abuse occurred.

The pilot scheme, first reported by LBC, focused on catcalling, unwanted gestures and other behaviour that officers say can escalate to more serious sexual offences. Offenders were arrested for crimes including harassment, sexual assault and theft.

According to the force’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) team, a local survey found nearly half of female runners in one Surrey area had not reported harassment to police. Inspector Jon Vale told LBC that the initiative was designed to both deter offenders and manage potential risks early.


Some incidents resulted in educational interventions, while repeat or serious offenders were pursued through the criminal justice system. PC Abby Hayward, one of the undercover officers, said the abuse she experienced during the operation reflected “a daily reality” for women.

The Guardian quoted her as saying, “This behaviour is either a precursor to something more serious, or it’s ignorance, and it’s fixable. That’s where our interventions come in: to stop potential repeat offenders or help people understand that what they’re doing isn’t OK.”

The pilot builds on earlier Surrey Police work, placing plainclothes officers in bars, clubs and town centres to spot predatory behaviour.

Similar measures have been tried elsewhere, with the Metropolitan Police previously joining women’s running groups to address safety concerns.

Research supports the scale of the problem. A University of Manchester study last year found over two-thirds of women runners in north-west England had faced harassment, while a Sport England report suggested almost three-quarters of women adjust their exercise routines during winter to avoid risk.

FAQs

Why did Surrey Police pose as female joggers?

Surrey Police launched an undercover operation where female officers jogged through harassment hotspots to catch offenders in the act. The initiative aimed to address widespread street harassment, including catcalling, that women face while exercising.

How many arrests were made in Surrey Police’s undercover jogger operation?

The month-long pilot operation resulted in 18 arrests for offences including harassment, sexual assault, and theft. Officers also issued educational interventions to address inappropriate behaviour before it escalated.

How common is harassment against women runners in the UK?

A University of Manchester study found that two-thirds of women runners in north-west England have experienced harassment, such as catcalling, threats, or having objects thrown at them. Many women no longer report such incidents, viewing them as an everyday occurrence.