What are the most effective, legal and affordable, self defence products available in the UK?

Question

Following repeated incidents with cowardly, bullying chavscum I have taken the decision to protect myslef when out on my own. My first thought was to obtain some pepper spray, but I have learnt that this is illegal in the UK. Can anybody please recommend some alternatives? Thanks.

Thanks to all (serious) respondents so far. Doing a little research of my own I've come accross something called "farb gel". Does anyone have any experiences with or thoughts on this? Thanks.

Answer 1

running shoes

Answer 2

Unfortunately there is NOTHING that can be carried for self defence. Literally. Nothing. Even if you have an everday household object such as a screwdriver the police can arrest you if they think you can/intend to use it as a weapon. (The law is ignorant to the common sense fact that there are very few objects that CANT be used as a weapon!!!)

But saying that, a key in the eye really stings!!!! ;D

But heres another problem, the law of reasonable force. When you are being attacked and your adrenaline is pumping and you think your life is in danger, you may think it is reasonable to kick punch, claw and scream your way to get out. But anything other than a slight push and a firm tone of voice is often thought of by juges and jurors as 'too much' force by people who weren't there and have never been in the same situation. Good luck.

Answer 3

The laws are both simple and complex, and the number of people prosecuted for defending themselves is very very small. Principle one is that you must be defending human life. You cannot attack someone just to defend property (although you can assume you are in danger if they are on your property). Principle two, is that you are confident they are presenting a THREAT. If they are running away, you have little defence. If you have broken their arm, and they get a knife or gun out, you may continue to defend yourself. Lastly you CAN pre-empt an attack. Tutor #2 is completely wrong - you do not have to wait to be attacked. In fact tutor #1 is only partially correct - you could certainly attack someone if they took a knife out and threatened to use it, but more than that - (check principle two) if they do not remove themselves from your property immediately even WITHOUT a knife being presented, you can still use reasonable force, if you can justifiably perceive there to be a threat presented by this person. (We are assuming for example it is night, and they have broken in to your property).

Answer 4

Yup, even pepper spray is illegal here. Anything else you carry as a weapon too for that matter. Still, I decided to go for a screwdriver in my bag. I do have my personal alarm too, but somehow I doubt it that you will get people running to help you by sounding it.

I have heard that you can obtain some kind of biological colour spray, that if you spray it onto your attacker face it takes days to fade, hence this helps the police to identify him/her if the catch them on time. Some kind of that stuff here

http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/product.asp?ProdID=2324&REFID={D228F570-1B2B-44C1-89EA-1F4C850F2DB3}

Still tho, I go for the screwdriver.

Answer 5

Self defense classes

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

it's illegal to carry any kind of weapon, or anything which could be used for such purposes. (ie, you can;t carry a screwdriver without showing why you need it etc)

Answer 8

Fists.

Answer 9

A key chain. Its has distance, you can swing it and the police don't stop you for it.

Answer 10

I understand your concern-the local community police service would talk to you about it.

Answer 11

the human body