West Mercia Police's new initiative aimed at tackling harassment against female runners has been welcomed as a "really positive change" by a West Midlands runner. The Jog On scheme, launched last month in Worcestershire, targets perpetrators of catcalling, horn beeping, and other forms of misogynistic behaviour.
Runner's perspective: 'A really positive change'
Lucy Canham, 36, from Moseley, has been running for as long as she can remember. As an avid sportsperson and founder of run-event organiser Run Of A Kind, she understands the threat of harassment all too well. She previously told BirminghamLive she had been "followed by a white van" during a run in the city.
Speaking about the Jog On scheme, Lucy said: "I think it's a really positive change. It's hard to know [the impact]. I definitely think it's a really good idea that it's happening." She added: "I hope that it will stop people and be preventative."
Addressing wider misogyny
However, Lucy acknowledged that "behaviour change is hard," noting the issue stems from a "wider" problem of misogyny. She explained: "I think it's a whole wider thing around misogyny, and where it comes from, which is usually from your environment growing up, the people you're around, ingrained patriarchy, manosphere."
She continued: "What young boys are watching and being fed on social media will play into it. It's quite a lot for the police alone to completely stamp out."
How the Jog On scheme works
Jog On involves female West Mercia Police officers in plain clothes running in key locations. Whenever they are subjected to harassment, they call nearby dedicated support crews to deal with perpetrators appropriately. Multiple operations have already been carried out, with plans to expand the initiative across the wider WMP area in the coming months.
Footage of police stopping motorists for harassing female runners has been released by the force as the crackdown continues.
Police message: 'Perpetrators need to change'
Inspector Liz Warner previously stated: "Misogynistic remarks and predatory behaviours are not acceptable. For too long women have changed their behaviours to feel safe, but perpetrators are the ones who need to change their behaviours."
Warner added: "We are sending a clear message to ensure that this is called out and enforcement action is taken."
