Jog On - operation to tackle abusive behaviour towards female runners

Jog On is a campaign focused on tackling perpetrator behaviour on our streets, which often creates barriers to women running.

You may have seen these signs popping up around Worcester over the last week.  

Jog On addresses the harassment female runners too often face, including catcalling, intimidation, and assaults.

These are not just unwanted behaviours – they are often crimes. A national survey by Runner’s World magazine found that 60% of female runners experience some form of harassment, particularly from men in cars, but we know that these offences and incidents are significantly under reported.

We must not minimise the impact of these behaviours and crimes have on women and encourage people to report all incidents to the police.

Jog On has two key elements – engagement and enforcement. Colleagues from partner agencies are visiting local communities via established events, running clubs and other campaigns and initiatives which promote women’s safety within sport.

We will be encouraging the recognition and reporting of incidents and speaking with all runners to support them in being active bystanders to these behaviours.

The enforcement aspect involves female police officers in plain clothes in key locations, in line with established operational tactics used identify offences such as shop theft or burglaries.

These officers have volunteered to take part and will not be readily identifiable as police officers.

When they are subjected to harassment such as catcalling, assault, and sexually suggestive comments, they will call nearby support crews to deal with the perpetrators as appropriate.

These operations can take place at any time of day and are designed to be varied and unpredictable.

Our message to perpetrators of street-based harassment is this: your actions will not be tolerated.

For too long women have changed their behaviours to feel safe, but now the onus to change is on you. Misogynistic remarks and predatory behaviours are not acceptable within our communities.

Make a report

If you experience any form of harassment, please contact West Mercia Police via:

If you are in immediate danger, always call 999

If you do not wish to speak to police, you can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone on 0800 555 111.

Jog On sits within our Violence Aginst Women & Girls (VAWG) plan. The campaign is powered through strong partnerships between West Mercia Police, Herefordshire Council, Worcestershire County Council, the University of Worcester, and Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire.