Strides made to combat harassment of runners

More than 1,000 people have taken part in a training programme to help tackle the harassment of female runners in Bradford.

West Yorkshire Police launched the JogOn initiative in March 2024 after a national survey found 60% of female runners had experienced some form of harassment.

The force said its Active Bystander training helped to identify how people can intervene when an incident is unfolding in front of them.

Ch Insp Nick Haigh from Bradford District Police, who is leading the initiative, said: "Pipping horns, shouting out of car windows and harassing women out running isn't acceptable and will not be tolerated."

The BBC has previously reported on how joggers in the city had been victims of regular whistling, name-calling and abuse as they made their way around.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the programme had also seen "a number of enforcement operations and tickets issued to anyone who breached the Public Space Protection Order".

In October the force said four cars had been seized as part of a crackdown on catcalling.

The scheme's success meant other forces across the country were thinking of following suit, the spokesperson added.

Ch Insp Haigh said harassment of female runners "can have a significant negative impact" on them and "can also lead to women avoiding the sport altogether".

Horse riders and cyclists have also reported harassment to the police and requested action, the spokesperson said.

Bradford Council's portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and community safety, Kamran Hussain, said the JogOn initiative was "both a timely and necessary one".

"There is of course still more to do, and we have a strong foundation to build on for the future."

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