Police seize cars from men for accosting female joggers who were actually female undercover police officers in disguise

Police are seizing cars from men for challenging women who were female undercover officers in disguise to go jogging in a crackdown on harassment.

Four cars were taken by officers as part of an initiative to help women feel safer when exercising, after a survey found that 60 percent of women feel intimidated when they go for a run.

West Yorkshire Police, in partnership with other agencies, has undercover female police officers posing as runners.

The hope is that men will ‘think twice’ about catcalling and making inappropriate comments to women exercising, especially from cars driving by.

The council said the JogOn initiative has carried out six operations to capture men since March, and said it is “clear” many do not even think the behavior counts as harassment.

One of the men who was arrested even tried to give the excuse that he was ‘encouraging the females to flee’.

Two female runners talk to Bradford police officers in their campaign video

A group of women run through the Bradford countryside

Many women feel scared and intimidated and find alternative running routes or change the times they go out to avoid cat noises, offensive comments and physical harassment.

Runners said they had come to accept it as the norm and did not report it to police because they felt it would not be taken seriously or action taken.

Police have sent female officers in plain clothes to run or jog in ‘hotspot’ areas.

Bradford Council can also enforce its Public Space Protection Order, which bans anti-social use of vehicles and includes ‘shouting, swearing or abusing, threatening or intimidating another person – including using sexual language or making sexual suggestions’ from a vehicle.

Violators could be fined £1,000 or fixed penalty notice.

A survey by Runners World magazine found that 60 percent of female runners had experienced harassment, especially from men in cars

Chief Inspector Beth Pagnillo, of Bradford District Police, says she has faced harassment while exercising

A group of Parkrunners (photo). Police officers will visit park runners and give talks to encourage women to report harassment

Members of running clubs are also offered Active Bystander training, which allows witnesses to intervene when an incident unfolds in front of them.

Chief Inspector Beth Pagnillo, of Bradford District Police, said: ‘People may not think this behavior is worth reporting, but we want to make it clear that this behavior and incidents are reportable, assessed and investigated and will not be tolerated .

‘The PSPOs in Bradford can report these behaviours, which could lead to a breach of the PSPO and the commission of an offence.

‘The enforcement, education and engagement undertaken through JogOn allows us to join our efforts through partnership to tackle this behaviour, encourage reporting by runners across the district, but also prevent incidents .’

Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for neighborhoods and community safety, said: ‘No woman should feel unsafe and intimidated when she goes for a run. Harassment and abusive behavior are completely unacceptable and we will take action against anyone who behaves in this way.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The safety of women and girls is at the heart of our mission for a safer and fairer West Yorkshire.

‘We should all be able to enjoy the benefits that sport can bring, without fear of intimidation or abuse.

“Our message remains absolutely clear: this behavior is unacceptable. The Jog On campaign reaffirms our commitment to that message and is a fantastic example of the power of working together to improve the safety of women and girls.”