A police operation in Bradford aimed at addressing the harassment of female joggers has led to the seizure of four cars, as part of the broader “JogOn” initiative. Launched by Bradford City Council in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, the scheme aims to tackle catcalling and other forms of harassment that female runners regularly face, particularly from men in vehicles.
The operation has also resulted in five fines and numerous traffic offence reports. Undercover female police officers, posing as joggers, have been used to catch offenders in the act. The initiative comes in response to a national survey by Runner’s World magazine, which found that 60% of female runners have experienced harassment while exercising.
Despite the scale of the problem, it is clear that many offenders do not recognise the impact of their actions. According to a spokesperson from the council, several men stopped by officers believed their behaviour—shouting out of windows or honking their horns—was not harmful. One male driver even claimed he was “encouraging” women to run by catcalling them.
Chief Inspector Beth Pagnillo of West Yorkshire Police, who has herself faced abuse while out jogging, said that this behaviour is unacceptable and must be stopped. “I hope that by calling out this behaviour, it shows that we are taking the issue seriously and makes men think twice about making these types of comments,” she said.
The JogOn initiative has already trained 600 people in “active bystander” intervention, equipping them with the skills to challenge harassment when they witness it. The two-hour training programme encourages individuals to step in and support those experiencing harmful behaviour, and it has been widely praised for helping build a safer environment for female runners.
Kamran Hussain, a Bradford councillor responsible for public safety, reiterated the importance of the initiative. “No one should feel unsafe while going for a run or even just walking down the street,” he said. “The culture of misogyny and harmful behaviours must be challenged, and JogOn is making strides in doing so.”
However, the reports from Bradford City Council also highlight that many women have been deterred from running altogether, choosing alternative routes or stopping the activity out of fear. Safer Bradford, a community safety initiative, noted that harassment has become such a norm for some female runners that they no longer bother reporting incidents, believing their concerns will not be taken seriously.
Through a combination of vehicle seizures, fines, and public safety orders, the authorities hope to shift this dynamic. A Public Space Protection Order is already in place in Bradford, prohibiting a wide range of anti-social behaviours, including making sexual comments or threats from vehicles. Offenders face penalties including fines of up to £1,000.
Both West Yorkshire Police and Bradford City Council have urged women to report any instances of harassment they encounter. “We will listen, and we will act,” said Chief Inspector Pagnillo. With continued efforts, the JogOn initiative is pushing for a future where women can feel safe while enjoying outdoor exercise, free from harassment and intimidation.
