Surrey Police Undercover 'Jog On' Operation Yields 18 Arrests in Harassment Crackdown

Surrey Police have initiated an undercover operation, dubbed "Jog On," deploying female officers dressed as joggers to identify and arrest individuals engaging in street harassment. The month-long trial in Surrey, UK, has resulted in 18 arrests for offenses including harassment, sexual assault, and theft. This proactive approach aims to address the pervasive issue of public sexual harassment and its underreporting.

The campaign involves plain-clothed female officers running in identified "harassment hotspots," with support crews nearby ready to intervene. Inspector Jon Vale, Reigate and Banstead Commander, highlighted the frequency of such incidents, stating, > "One of our officers was honked at within 10 minutes, then another vehicle slowed down, beeping and making gestures just 30 seconds later, that’s how frequent it is." Officers reported experiencing harassment almost immediately during their patrols.

The force's strategic rationale stems from a Surrey County Council study revealing that 49 percent of female residents never reported harassment. PC Abby Hayward, one of the undercover officers, emphasized the impact of such behavior: > "It’s so common, but it’s harassment and it needs to be recognized as such." She added that the interventions aim to "stop potential repeat offenders or help people understand that what they’re doing isn’t OK."

While there is no specific UK law solely for "catcalling," offenses like intentional harassment, alarm, or distress under the Public Order Act 1986, or the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 for repeated incidents, can be applied. The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023, which would criminalize street harassment more broadly, is not yet in force, but the "Jog On" campaign operates within existing legal frameworks.

The initiative has drawn criticism from groups like the Free Speech Union, which labeled it a "bizarre social-psychology experiment" and argued police should focus on other crimes. However, a Surrey Police spokesperson affirmed their commitment, stating, "Our priority is not only to tackle and solve crime but also to prevent it from happening in the first place." The force plans to expand the "Jog On" campaign county-wide, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.