Instead of telling women to “just ignore it,” police decided to do something about it. Surrey Police launched “Jog On,” a month-long operation where plain-clothes officers posed as female joggers in areas known for harassment. It didn’t take long to see how common it was one officer was honked at within 10 minutes, and another was targeted just 30 seconds later. The operation led to 18 arrests in one month and aimed to identify behavior that could escalate into more serious offences. Women shouldn’t have to change their routines to feel safe. The people doing the harassing should.

Broader Context

Street harassment prevalence: Studies show that a majority of women experience catcalling, unwanted comments, or intimidation while exercising outdoors.
Escalation risk: Harassment often acts as a gateway to more severe offences, including stalking and assault.
Global comparisons: Similar undercover operations have been trialed in cities like New York and Paris, but Surrey’s initiative stood out for its scale and arrest numbers.

Resource allocation: Some questioned whether police resources should be used for undercover harassment operations.
Sustainability: Critics asked if short-term operations could lead to long-term cultural change.
Public awareness: While arrests were made, broader education campaigns are needed to shift societal attitudes.