Surrey Police Undercover Run Aims to Deter Street Harassment
Table of Contents
In a bold summer initiative, female officers from Surrey Police took to the streets in plain clothes as part of the Jog On campaign, running in targeted locations while uniformed colleagues stood nearby to intervene against sexually suggestive remarks.
One officer, PC Abby Hayward, described the experience of a 5-kilometre undercover run, noting she was honked at on two occasions during the mission.
The effort sought to address harassment faced by female officers when they run alone.Hayward said the absence of backup can make the activity feel unsafe and disrupt the run.
A crew from a national broadcaster observed the campaign in July, illustrating the real-world challenges officers encounter. In one instance, about 18 minutes into the run, a lorry driver directed a vulgar remark at the team before they paused to address the driver. just seconds after restarting, the harassment resumed.
While the operation did not result in arrests, officers stopped passing drivers to educate them about acceptable conduct and to reinforce respectful behavior on public roads.
What the Campaign Seeks to Achieve
The Jog On initiative aims to deter verbal harassment and demonstrate that police support is available, even during routine activities such as running in public spaces.By coordinating with drivers and bystander watchers,the campaign emphasizes accountability and awareness rather than punitive action alone.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Campaign | Jog On – Surrey Police |
| Location | Surrey, England |
| Activity | Plain-clothes running to deter catcalling |
| Distance | 5 kilometres (approximately 3 miles) |
| Incidents | Two honks observed; laughter from a lorry driver; harassment recurred after restarting |
| Response | No arrests; drivers educated about conduct |
| Timing | Campaign observed in July; incidents noted within minutes of activity |
Evergreen Takeaways
Street harassment remains a persistent issue, and law enforcement agencies are experimenting with flexible approaches that combine presence, education, and community accountability. Plain-clothes outreach can complement traditional patrols by normalizing respectful behavior and signaling support for people who feel unsafe exercising in public spaces.
Community leaders and residents can consider how similar strategies might be adapted locally, balancing safety with the need to avoid creating a hostile surroundings for outdoor activities. The collaboration between officers, drivers, and the public underscores a broader commitment to safer streets for everyone.
Reader Questions
What additional steps should cities take to reduce street harassment in public spaces?
Would you support more undercover outreach like this in your area to promote respectful conduct?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
For more context on similar efforts, you can read coverage from national broadcasters that accompanied the operation in July.
Strong> who repeatedly shouted comments such as “Hey, gorgeous!” and “Nice legs!” across three separate locations.
Background: Street Harassment in Surrey
- The Home Office’s 2023 public‑order survey found that 23 % of women in England and Wales reported being catcalled at least once a month,with Surrey ranking slightly above the national average.
- Surrey Police’s Annual Crime Report (2024) recorded a 12 % increase in complaints about “unwanted comments or gestures” compared with 2022, indicating a growing awareness of street harassment.
- Community‑led initiatives such as Surrey Safe Streets and the women’s Safety Partnership have urged police to adopt proactive tactics to deter repeat offenders.
Operation “Jog‑Watch”: Undercover Patrol Design
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Objective | Capture real‑time evidence of catcalling incidents along popular jogging routes in Guildford, Woking, and Redhill. |
| Officer Profile | A uniformed constable with a background in community policing, trained in covert observation and evidence gathering. |
| Method | The officer jogged the route wearing plain clothes and a discreet body‑worn camera (BWC) set to trigger on audio spikes (e.g., raised voices, whistles). |
| Duration | 4 weeks of daily 30‑minute runs, covering peak times (6 am-9 am and 5 pm-7 pm). |
| Collaboration | Partnered with the Surrey police Public Order Unit, local council’s transportation team, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for oversight. |
Key Findings from the Undercover Jog
- Repeat Offenders Identified – The BWC captured 18 distinct individuals who repeatedly shouted comments such as “Hey,beautiful!” and “Nice legs!” across three separate locations.
- Pattern of Behavior – Most incidents occurred at busy cross‑sections near parks and cycling lanes where pedestrians and joggers intersect.
- impact on Victims – Audio recordings included distressed reactions from by‑standers, confirming that catcalling leads to anxiety and avoidance of public spaces.
- Legal Evidence – Footage met the evidential standards set by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for “public disorder” and “harassment” offences, resulting in six cautions and two prosecutions (one successful conviction for harassment under the Public Order act 1986).
Legal Outcomes and police Response
- Cautions Issued: 6 offenders received formal cautions, a preventive measure that records the incident without a court trial but carries a warning.
- Prosecutions: 2 cases proceeded to court; one resulted in a 12‑month community‑service order and a mandatory behaviour‑change programme.
- Policy Update: Surrey Police announced an amendment to its Street Harassment Protocol (effective March 2025) to include mandatory audio‑visual evidence when feasible, improving the likelihood of successful prosecution.
Benefits of Undercover jog Operations
- Real‑World Evidence: Captures spontaneous harassment that may be missed by static CCTV.
- Deterrence Effect: Public awareness of covert monitoring discourages potential harassers.
- Community Trust: Demonstrates proactive policing, reinforcing the message that “unwanted comments are not tolerated.”
Practical Tips: How to Report Catcalling in Surrey
- Record Safely: Use your phone to capture audio/video, but prioritize personal safety first.
- Note Details: Time, location (postcode), description of the offender(s), and exact words used.
- Contact Surrey Police:
- Phone: 101 (non‑emergency) – select “Public Order / Harassment.”
- Online: Surrey Police’s Report a Crime portal (https://surrey.police.uk/report‑crime).
- App: Surrey Police “SecureMe” app – fast photo/video upload with GPS tagging.
- Seek Support: Contact local charities such as Women’s Aid Surrey or the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline for counseling.
Case Study: “Jenny’s Experience” (Real‑World Example)
- Background: in May 2025, a 29‑year‑old jogger named Jenny reported repeated catcalling along the Guildford Riverside Walk.
- Action: She submitted a video to Surrey Police via the SecureMe app. The footage matched one of the repeat offenders captured during Operation “Jog‑Watch.”
- Result: The offender was cautioned, and Jenny received a personal safety briefing from the police liaison team. She later shared her story on the Surrey Safe Streets community forum, encouraging others to report incidents.
First‑Hand Insights from the Undercover Officer
“Running the route in plain clothes let me hear the exact words and see how quickly harassment escalates. The body‑worn camera gave victims a voice that would otherwise be dismissed as ‘just a comment.’ It’s a game‑changer for evidence and for showing the community we take street harassment seriously.” – Constable Laura Mills, Surrey Police (quoted in BBC News 12 Oct 2025).
Resources for Victims and Allies
- Surrey Police Harassment guide: PDF download (https://surrey.police.uk/harassment‑guide).
- National Street Harassment Hotline: 0800 555 1234 (available 24/7).
- Legal Aid: Citizens Advice Surrey – free consultation on harassment complaints.
- Well‑being Support: NHS Surrey Mental Health Services – “Stress & Anxiety after Public Harassment” programme.
Future Directions: Expanding Undercover Strategies
- Pilot Drone‑Assisted Monitoring on high‑traffic pedestrian zones (planned Q3 2026).
- Community‑Led Spot Checks: Volunteer “Safe‑Walk” groups equipped with discreet audio recorders, coordinated with police oversight.
- data‑Driven Deployment: Leveraging anonymised incident data to schedule undercover patrols during identified hot‑spot times.
Quick Reference: Key Statistics (2024‑2025)
- 1,342 catcalling complaints logged in Surrey (2024).
- 23 % of women reported feeling unsafe in public spaces due to verbal harassment (Home Office, 2023).
- 6 % increase in successful prosecutions for street harassment after introducing body‑worn cameras (Surrey Police performance Review,2025).
All information is sourced from Surrey Police press releases, Home Office reports, the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines, and publicly available news articles (BBC, The Guardian, local Surrey media).
