mace/ pepper spray in the UK?

Question

My sister and I were mugged a couple of nights ago right outside the gate to my student house. Although I screamed, nobody paid any attention. I've heard that both Mace and pepper spray are illegal in the UK, but what are you supposed to use when the police are useless and screaming just makes noise?

Are there any alternatives to these?

Answer 1

learn kung fu?

Answer 2

Yep mace and pepper spray are both illegal in the UK. But plenty of people cary them. Wait till you are on holiday and get one.

Big hairbrush with a pointed wooden handle, good to carry in handbag also.


You don;'t want to antagonise a mugger in any way. I especially advise against that old wives tale, that a kick in the balls will disable a male assailant. it's rubbish.


You were lucky- count your blessings. I lived next door to student accommodation for 2 years and the screaming and shouting was almost continual so I'm not surprised no-one came.

You were just unlucky that's all. This incident is likely to prey on your mind for months. DON'T LET IT. it wasn't an attack on you personally, it could have happened to anyone.

Answer 3

I`m so sorry to hear your misfortune.
As citizens we are really only given little choice
resist,
fight, or
Wait for
assistance.

It may be worth finding out where the law stands on this ground. Spray is illegal
how It can be proven that you knew for sure that you were using that.. ?

Have the police offered you advise ?

Answer 4

I agree with Razorbite, self defence classes would be a good idea. You can get a personal alarm too but again, I think people might ignore that too.

I would advise against carrying something else to spray in your attackers face. You know what this country is like, you injur your attacker and you're the one whose likely to end up in prison!

Answer 5

I was told that you can use anything that is not classed as a weapon. Something that you would normally carry with you e.g. a can of hairspray would do the trick - Most women carry these in their bags - spray it in the face of your attacker then run. Or keys, although that could be a bit dodgy and violent and you could end up arrested for assault in today's society.

Answer 6

ok well the best thing is to use deodarant, carry a can of deodarant, you women have them small sized ones that fit in your hand bag, if you feel threatened by someone walking behind or approaching you just get it out your bag asap and keep it in your hands,

also another thing is keys, if you hold a set of keys in your hand and close it into a fist, take one key and slip it between your fingers as your hand is in a fist, its like a knuckle duster but thats illegal but keyes aint, one punch to the head area is a sure way to getting the person down.

also another way is if you hit someone right in the chest can make them drop or stop, the best place to attack on the chest region is mid central, in other words when a man wheres a shirt count 3 buttons down from the neck, now if you punch between the third and fourth button even a gentle punch can wind the person a hard punch will floor them.

another thing is, if you get mis-handled by someone its hard to do but as you struggle get your fingers deep under there arm pit and force your fingers deep inside hard and fast, this will disrupt arteries and veins releasing chemicals throughout there body which tells the mind to shut down body and they will collapse if done hard and fast, it wont kill the or anything, it'll just put them out cold.

hope this answers your question, theres more advice i can tell you but these are the main ones and theres the obvious one if its a bloke kick him where it hurts.

Answer 7

yes your right pepper spray is illegal here.........first try not screaming you will find if you take martial arts your are trained in voice as well as defence arts.......I personally tried the shout method of defence on someone and they ran before he could do anything it was very funy this guy was huge i'm only 5'2"
so go with martial arts everytime :)

Answer 8

Keep one, mix pepper with salts and some vinegar then pray straight in thier eyes always.If one is affected the rest will take to their heels.hhahahahaaaaaaaaaaa

Answer 9

Just Carry a small Dagger . Insert and twist

Answer 10

if you look up personal body armour on google it will list a firm in Oldham, they in turn sell a spray that is legal it is extremely foul smelling and will stop an attack simply through that

Answer 11

I think no matter where you live, you have a right to protect yourself. take a self defense class and never go out alone at night.