The people of Leeds are being urged to report incidents of harassment as the new JogOn campaign sends a clear message: harassment of women and girls while exercising will not be tolerated.
The campaign was officially launched at the Royal Armouries on 24 September, with keynote speeches from Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin and Olympic athlete Alex Bell. Following the event, members of Leeds Dock Running Club led a run through the city centre, finishing at City Square to highlight the campaign’s message. Delivered through the Safer Leeds partnership, JogOn aims to make outdoor spaces safer, more welcoming, and more inclusive for everyone.
The initiative was first launched in Bradford in 2024, after a Runner’s World survey revealed that 60% of women runners had experienced harassment while running. Leeds is now building on this momentum to ensure women and girls feel safe and supported when exercising across the city.
As part of the Leeds JogOn campaign, the Safer Leeds partnership and Get Set Leeds Local will work closely with local running clubs and parkrun groups to raise awareness, challenge unacceptable behaviour, and encourage women to report any incidents of harassment they encounter.
Grace Whalley, a member of Leeds Dock Running Club, shared her own experience of harassment, explaining that it has been a recurring issue since she first began running at the age of 14.
She said: “Last year when I was running back from run club on my own a man on a bike cycled next to me the whole run home, it was seven kilometres.
“He kept trying to speak to me and reach out to touch me, I just kept looking ahead, turned my music up and ignored him as much as possible but there was nothing I could do to shake him off my case. I came home so unsettled and it really upset me how someone could make me feel so uncomfortable for no reason, how he couldn’t just take no for an answer.
“It doesn’t achieve anything, and I wouldn’t ever be impressed if someone catcalled me so I don’t understand why men continue to do it.”
As part of the campaign, plain-clothes police officers will run in identified ‘hot spot’ areas to help spot offenders. Anyone caught harassing runners could face a fine or fixed penalty notice. The campaign also promotes active bystander training, available to book via its webpage. The training is designed to build male allyship, shift attitudes, and give people the confidence to step in safely when they witness harassment.
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety said:
“The safety of women and girls sits at the heart of what we do at Safer Leeds. No one should be made to feel unsafe when exercising and using public spaces. Some might think that catcalling or beeping their horn is harmless, but we want to send a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated and say to anyone who experiences this to please report it.”
Chief Inspector Phil Gill of Leeds District Police said:
“We are pleased to be launching the JogOn campaign in Leeds, building on the success it has already achieved in Bradford, helping women feel safer when out running, knowing they are listened to and supported.
“We know some people might feel like these behaviours aren’t serious enough to report — but they absolutely are.
“The message is clear and simple, everyone should be able to go out running, without fear of harassment or unwanted behaviour. Perpetrators need to be educated around the impact of their behaviour and where appropriate held accountable for their actions.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said:
“Every woman deserves to live their life without fear. The safety of women and girls is at the heart of our mission for a safer, fairer West Yorkshire and that’s why we are committed to challenging sexist and intimidating behaviour.
“Harassment and abuse of women is unacceptable, and this initiative sends a clear message that we will not stand for it.”
The JogOn campaign is delivered by the Safer Leeds partnership, which works to ensure people feel safe in their homes, on the streets, and in the places they visit, alongside Get Set Leeds Local, a project led by Active Leeds. Anyone experiencing harassment can report it to the police by calling 101 or using the online service at Report it | West Yorkshire Police
For issues linked to ongoing nuisance or antisocial behaviour in the community, reports can also be made via Report Antisocial Behaviour
In an emergency, where a crime is in progress or there is a danger to life, always dial 999.
Further details about the initiative can be found on the official JogOn Campaign webpage.
