Surrey Police: "Harassment can't be normalised"
A Surrey inspector says that people shouldn't normalise being in fear as new campaign is launched to combat harassment against female runners.
Surrey Police has launched a campaign in an attempt to stop street-based harassment against female runners.
The 'Jog On' campaign involves female police officers going out jogging in key locations.
These officers have volunteered to take part, and are not running in their uniforms, so they are not readily identifiable as police officers.
If they are subject to harassment such as catcalling and sexually suggestive comments, there are support crews on hand nearby to assist.
The tactics were first used in Reigate and Banstead and are now being rolled out in different places throughout the county.
Daniel Gutierrez, who is an inspector from Surrey Police, says that harassment shouldn't be being normalised.
"We shouldn't normalise it. You know people are in fear and some people might feel that they can't report it because they'll be dismissed due to it being normalised.
It's not normal, It won't be tolerated and we will take action."
Gutierrez said that the aim of the campaign was to try and create a safe space for people when running.
"They are harassing behaviour essentially and over time women in particular will feel unsafe.
They'll change their routines, and why should they do that?
So we're just trying to do what we can to make it a safer space and prevent crime or the OR the opportunity for criminality."