Surrey Police Conduct Undercover Patrols in Areas with Frequent Harassment of Women
Serious Incidents Include Honking and Lewd Gestures
As catcalling crimes, which involve harassing women-including those running or simply passing by-through lewd remarks or whistling, have surged in the UK, police have deployed female officers disguised in sportswear. According to the police, this undercover operation resulted in 18 arrests at the scene within a month. On August 13 (local time), The Guardian reported that Surrey Police recently stationed female officers dressed in running attire and gear at locations and times where sexual harassment frequently occurs, achieving notable results.
As catcalling crimes, where British police officers sexually harass women including those jogging and passing by, have surged, female officers disguised in sportswear were deployed. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Pixabay
When a female officer jogging in a high-incidence area of catcalling encounters an incident, a specialized response team waiting nearby is immediately dispatched to make an arrest. According to a report by LBC Radio, which accompanied the undercover investigation, two female officers deployed to the field experienced harassment from a truck driver-including honking and lewd gestures-within just 10 minutes of starting, and only 30 seconds later, another vehicle slowed down and engaged in similar behavior.
According to research released by the University of Manchester, more than two-thirds of female runners in northwest England have experienced harassment such as threats, verbal abuse, or objects being thrown at them. A significant number of victims responded that they consider this an "everyday occurrence" and do not report it to the police. As a result, about three-quarters of women in the UK have changed their exercise routines during the shorter daylight hours of winter, either shifting their workout times to daylight or reducing the frequency of their activities due to safety concerns.
Surrey Police: "A form of harassment and a crime-social attitudes must change"
Surrey Police explained that this measure is an expansion of their previous efforts, in which plainclothes officers were deployed to nightlife areas to crack down on potential sexual offenses. Previously, London police also operated a "buddy system," in which officers accompanied members of women's running clubs in response to reports of harassment. Above all, police believe that while acts like catcalling may not be prosecutable offenses, they can escalate into more serious sexual violence, making prevention essential.
As catcalling crimes, where British police officers harass women running or passing by with lewd remarks, have surged, female officers disguised in sportswear have been deployed. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Pixabay
Abby Hayward, a constable who directly participated in this patrol operation, stated, "Catcalling is so common for women that it amounts to daily abuse," adding, "This should be recognized as harassment." She continued, "Such behavior may stem from ignorance, but it can also lead to much more serious problems. The police need to intervene to make people understand that this behavior is wrong and to prevent potential crimes." Chief Inspector John Vale, who led the operation, emphasized, "Even if simply staring or shouting does not break the law, such behavior alone can make women give up everyday activities like running. We must intervene early to block the risk."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
