Police undercover plan to safeguard women runners ignites debateUndercover officers have been deployed to a famous North Wales' seaside destination, as part of a fresh bid to improve safety for women and girls' runningView Image The beach and promenade in Rhyl (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Express)North Wales Live readers have been responding to a police strategy designed to address the harassment of runners. Plain-clothes officers have been dispatched to a well-known North Wales seaside resort, as part of a renewed effort to enhance safety for women and girls whilst running. ‌This follows a significant rise in female participation in running, with women and girls representing almost 50% of recreational runners in 2022, compared with just 13% in 1997. ‌But a 2024 University of Manchester study found that 68% of 498 women surveyed in the UK had experienced abuse while running. Do you believe that this is a step in the right direction when it comes to protecting female runners?

Source: Daily Mirror March 12, 2026 19:55 UTC