Surrey police pose as joggers to catch men harassing women out exercising

Eighteen people have been arrested after a police force sent out female undercover officers posing as joggers to catch men harassing women while they are out exercising.

A pilot operation from Surrey police deployed female officers in running gear during rush hour to expose how often women are harassed. The pilot has resulted in 18 arrests for offences such as harassment, sexual assault and theft.

Insp Jon Vale, Surrey’s violence against women and girls safer spaces lead, said a survey found almost half of female runners in one area of the county did not report harassment to the police.

He said catcalling was “far too common”, with off-duty female officers and staff members experiencing this behaviour. Although it is not a specific criminal offence, catcalling is known to sometimes escalate to more serious sexual offending.