Surrey Police in the United Kingdom launched a creative and unconventional operation aimed at tackling the growing problem of street harassment against women. Instead of traditional patrols, they decided to take a more proactive approach by sending volunteer female officers out jogging in plain clothes through well-known hotspots across the county.
These officers were dressed casually as regular runners, while discreet backup units were positioned nearby, ready to respond quickly if needed.The results were swift and striking. Within just minutes of beginning their jogs, the undercover officers started receiving unwanted attention. They reported being honked at aggressively by drivers, shouted at with vulgar and offensive comments, and in some cases, physically followed by strangers who refused to leave them alone.
The month-long initiative, which was given the catchy name “Jog On,” proved highly effective. It led to a total of 18 arrests for various offenses, including harassment, sexual assault, and theft. The success of the operation was so impressive that Surrey Police have since decided to expand the program across the entire county, increasing its reach and impact.
The decision to launch “Jog On” came after a survey highlighted worrying statistics: nearly half (49%) of women who experience street harassment never report the incidents to the police. Officers involved also observed firsthand how common and relentless these encounters can be, with some women facing multiple instances of harassment in as little as a single minute while simply trying to go about their daily lives.
Through this innovative operation, Surrey Police delivered a powerful and unmistakable message to potential offenders: when you harass a woman on the street, you have no idea who you are actually targeting. She could be anyone — including an undercover police officer. No matter what, those who choose to engage in this behavior may eventually be held accountable for their actions.
