Undercover female officers in Surrey have posed as joggers to catch men harassing women while exercising, resulting in 18 arrests. The pilot scheme, which deployed plainclothes officers in running gear during rush hour, targeted harassment hotspots identified by the force.
The arrests were for offences including harassment, sexual assault, and theft. Inspector Jon Vale, Surrey's violence against women and girls lead, said catcalling was 'far too common' and could escalate to more serious offending. He noted that one officer was honked at within 10 minutes of starting her run.
The month-long trial involved plainclothes officers volunteering to jog in sports gear, with specialist units ready to intervene. Uniformed officers also worked with community groups to share insights. Vale said the aim was to deter offenders and manage risk early.
PC Abby Hayward, who went undercover, said the behaviour reflected a daily reality for women. 'This behaviour is either a precursor to something more serious, or it's ignorance and it's fixable,' she said. The force plans to continue patrolling running routes.
The pilot was developed from work installing plainclothes officers in bars and clubs at night. Other forces, including the Met, have used similar methods, such as a buddy system for women's running clubs. A University of Manchester study found over two-thirds of women surveyed had experienced harassment while running.
