A neighbourhood policing officer in Rhyl has developed a new initiative that takes a refreshingly direct approach to women’s safety outdoors — by joining them on their runs.
Operation Cadence was created by PC Catrin Hughes of North Wales Police, who drew on her own experience as a runner to recognise how unsafe many women feel exercising alone. The scheme involves officers running alongside community members, including in plain clothes, to identify harassment as it happens, build relationships, and encourage reporting.
The context matters. Research from the University of Manchester found that 68% of women in the UK have experienced abuse while running — including verbal abuse, being followed, and physical or sexual assaults. Many don’t report it, partly because it has become so normalised, and partly through doubt that police would take it seriously. Operation Cadence is a direct response to that.
As well as patrol runs, the initiative includes posters at popular running locations with QR codes for quick reporting, and a focus on building sustained trust with running clubs and community groups. North Wales Police has already carried out plain-clothed patrols along Rhyl promenade as part of the operation.
Ch Supt Jackie Downes, head of local policing, described it as part of the force’s wider commitment to tackling violence against women and girls — and to making sure women’s voices are heard and acted upon.
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