Help required about Pepper Spray

[Lou M]

I need the .Orgs help.

I found out last night that a collegue of mine was mugged along a foot path that I use to walk home every night. She was mugged at 4.30 and I walk it at about 5.15pm. I'm glad to say that she is fine but this has naturally shaken her up.

Now, I dont want to start using the car as that takes about 15mins, but walking in takes 7mins.

I've changed the bag I use so that I can put it across my shoulder, and have my brolly in one hand, but would like to get some pepper spray.

So, two questions, can I legally use pepper spray to protect myself if the worse should ever happen, and if so where can I buy it?

Thanks
Lou

[neio79]

yes i think you can use it. personally if it was me (and they are not legal) i would use a Tazer. you can buy a good one from the continent.

Lets face it a little scroat isnt going to go to the police and say he got tazered for trying to mug some one.

[husky03]

no not legal in this country-if you get caught with it you will get a do'in at court-its ranked as a firearm

[neio79]

no not legal in this country-if you get caught with it you will get a do'in at court-its ranked as a firearm

:confused: Best get rid of those Smoke grenades and Para lumes i have kicking about then ;)

[blue curvy jester]

company called walk easy does a legal spray made of garlic and onion really fuggin stinks also got a UV marker that means the coppers can link him to the scene ( circumstansional only ) and a high decibel sounder

They also do a DNA spray that is usable in court as primary evidence to lock the basrtards up ( this really works i know cos i supply them with the DNA and the court back up )

[Paul the 6th]

as above, pepper spray is classed officially as an "offensive weapon" - in the same ranks as knives, knuckle dusters and samuri swords (not sure about that last one)...

My mum said she used to carry her bunch of keys spread evenly between her fingers just incase. Not sure about the legallity of tazers but I'd imagine it would be a bit of a tricky situation trying to get one out without electricuting yourself whilst trying not to getting shafted by a mugger.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2113089_defend-against-mugger.html - just found this after a quick bit of googling.

Just thinking about it, if I was ever mugged I'd like to think I'd be able to get them down and go absolutely mental. I'd probably just tell them to **** off and carry on walkin lol (or so I wish)

[Dappa D]

police done me with mace/pepper spray.....i looked like had been face first into a fire....it hurts...lots.

legal or not if u can get a small spray can of it (as its not hard to get hold of) then thats what id do in your position

[Kinvig]

you will get a do'in at court-its ranked as a firearm


...snip...the powers that be decide which crimes get the court time and the ones that don't get binned...snip...I see it day in day out -we are to soft.


Your inconsistent attitude towards the courts seems to ebb & flow like the favours of a tavern dancer.

[missyburd]

I found out last night that a collegue of mine was mugged along a foot path that I use to walk home every night.



I used to have this problem when I walked back from work, so I'd deliberately take different routes back home i.e. shortcuts and the like. If you do the same walk everyday at the same time I'm afraid you are just an easy target :(

edit: when I say shortcuts I don't mean back alleys and dark snickets, as lit a route as possible.

no not legal in this country-if you get caught with it you will get a do'in at court-its ranked as a firearm

+1, definitely not wise to get it. I was always told to carry a deodorant spray about with me, I should think it would have a similar effect. Enough of one anyway.

[natcar]

Well if you're going to get done for carrying a firearm - get one of these


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/ISF_member_armed_with_RPG-7.jpg/800px-ISF_member_armed_with_RPG-7.jpg

No seriously take the car. It's only a few minutes?

[Drew Carey]

It may or may not help, but, when a girl got hassled walking from my old office, the company were quiet concerned. So, they issued free panick alarms to all the girls who wanted them. These were not the "Yes its a loud squeek type", these were sooooooooo loud it hurts yours ears.

[Kilted Ginger]

Change your route?? or dont go alone, only thing you can carry legally is a maglite "D" cell torch "cause its dark officer" basically its a steel bar. remember if the worst happens, its only posessions, not worth getting hurt over.

Take care.[-o<

[rob13]

Sec 5 firearm is pepper/CS spray.

Im not going to legally endorse it but I would imagine that if someone was to carry hairspray with them, then that wouldnt be considered as a firearm, and could only be considered offensive weapon if used when no threat was present. Alternatively there is a blue dye spray which is out in the UK which at present (according to the legal database) is currently not considered illegal, however there is yet to be a stated case for it.

[monkey]

Don't forget that if you have anything like that and drop it in a struggle it could be used against you.

I'm one for the earsplitting alarms you can get. You can keep it ready in one hand to activate.

Maybe you could wear your handbag under a jacket too.

[hang man]

Can't get any better than this (if you're worried about not braking the law)

http://www.cck9.com/

[missyburd]

See alarms are all very well but by the time someone has heard it if indeed anyone does and doesn't think it's a vehicle or house alarm, then they still have to get to you by which point it will no doubt be too late. I wouldn't be too fussed about possessions its getting attacked that worries me sometimes. Not that I'm trying to scare you Lou :(

Best way is learning self-defence, just a small amount of the right knowledge in those situations would be sufficient.

[missyburd]

Can't get any better than this (if you're worried about not braking the law)

http://www.cck9.com/

got one of them - well not a fantastically trained one but good enough :D - but unfortunately not all the time!

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8341/p6021689rv1.jpg

[yorkie_chris]

Pepper spray is definately under Sect 5 of firearms act. Been there done that got the record.

'Dusters are good, so are big torches, big dog is even better. But it's all too late then, could write reams on self protection but just read this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Alive-Self-Protection-Summersdale-Self-protection/dp/1840242795

Basically this bunch of w4nkers of government won't let you carry any proper weapons, and the bunch of w4nkers of police will do their best to f##k you over should you legally defend yourself.
So, best bet is to be aware of surroundings. Most people apply a car driver mentality to walking anywhere and concentrate on their feet. If it does come down to violence remember do unto others before they do unto you, and then f##k off before the police arrive.

[yorkie_chris]

P.s most of people I know who carry a weapon are taking all the risk with no benefit as it's tucked away somewhere completely pointless. A knife needs to be on your belt or clipped to pocket, you need to practice at drawing it and opening it. A duster needs to be in a coat pocket so you can walk with it ready in hand but hidden. I know what women are like.... a weapon is more harm than good if it's hiding in bottom of handbag!!!

[yorkie_chris]

P.s hairspray and the like is totally useless, pepper is a VERY strong incapacitant, and even the pocket size tins discharge like a fire extinguisher, very directed high pressure spray. Normal aerosol can is totally useless except as a fairly useless club! Or perhaps as incendiary... but that relies on finding out where mugger lives... a bit beyond scope of this thread...

[husky03]

Your inconsistent attitude towards the courts seems to ebb & flow like the favours of a tavern dancer.

And your starting to become in pain in the ar$e mate-firearms offences are always dealt with more strictly-but you being a knowey should be aware of that

from your post i can see that your a bit uptight regarding me so if you have a problem drop me a pm and we can then arrange to get things sorted out

[hang man]

got one of them - well not a fantastically trained one but good enough :D - but unfortunately not all the time!

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8341/p6021689rv1.jpg

Nice Dog :salut: ...A dog like that doesen't really need to be trained , i had a friend with one, spent a lot of time playing pool at his house and when i first met the dog i was affraid to get near it but after some time bonded with the dog and what an awsome friend to have , if anyone even shoved me and the dog seen it ..well let's just say they wished they didn't.

[Paul the 6th]

Normal aerosol can is totally useless except as a fairly useless club!

Now I want you all to sit down and picture the following.

YC walking down a darkened alley with metallica blazing in his headphones. A shadowy figure is approaching slowly with their hood up and scarf around their face. It's raining a bit but not enough to warrant that kind of disguise. As they near, the mugger pushes chris back and shouts "give me your ipod or I'll f****ng do you!" to which YC whips out a can of 'pantene pro-v repair and re-nourish all day fixing spray' and starts whacking the attacker over the head. The mugger yelps like a chiwawa trapped in a door and then tries to run off - but there's one problem - YC has tied his shoe laces together and is still beating the mugger with the can of hairspray...

Does anyone else find this image absolutely hilarious? Or am I odd?

[Quedos]

Don't forget that if you have anything like that and drop it in a struggle it could be used against you.

I'm one for the earsplitting alarms you can get. You can keep it ready in one hand to activate.

Maybe you could wear your handbag under a jacket too.

alarms are good esp if you get a chance to hold them next to their ear - they'll soon stop anything they intended to do - but downside is that no-one responds to them - like car alarms.
i got mugged in london @ a really busy time and not one soul cam to help they all just watched as i struggled amd them kick the s**t of the guys (yes more than one)
i think i used every trick in the book - shouted screamed bit kicked must have been a sight!
but seriuosly
i carry hairspray and small maglite and a metal studded wristband - part of the goth look officer!

i know you don't want to take the car but it might be worth it for a couple of weeks then go back - just stay safe

[grh1904]

One thing puzzles me, the original post said a colleague got mugged and then you went past only 45mins later. Why not arrange to walk together???????????.

Someone to talk to on the way home, safety in numbers etc.

Remember anyone can use reasonable force to defend themselves. The only time a victim is likely to be prosecuted is if the force they use is not reasonable, not proportionate to its aims and cannot be justified.

Here's an example, I had a job of mine go to Crown Court. It was a girl who smashed a pint glass in the face of a lad who was basically beating 7 shades of $hit out of her boyfriend. She got found not guilty because the jury believed her when she said that the violence being used on her boyfriend was extreme, and she could not help defend him in any other way. It helped that the other pub beer garden patrons said they didn't want to intervene was the bloke doing the beating up looked a real nutter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grh1904]

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8341/p6021689rv1.jpg

I too have a LANDSHARK, great at keeping undesirable types away from the garden.

[missyburd]

Nice Dog :salut: ...A dog like that doesen't really need to be trained , i had a friend with one, spent a lot of time playing pool at his house and when i first met the dog i was affraid to get near it but after some time bonded with the dog and what an awsome friend to have , if anyone even shoved me and the dog seen it ..well let's just say they wished they didn't.
I too have a LANDSHARK, great at keeping undesirable types away from the garden.

yep, he's ace if men come up to or near me, he once made a bloke with a pool cue jump in the road just by barking, noone plays about with my hound :smt003

Best thing is even if anyone was thinking of anything untoward, just seeing there's an Alsatian at my side is enough, hence why we don't let him off the lead - as well as the fact he can be dog aggressive :rolleyes:

Thoroughly recommend one, love the term landshark, they're just that! Tis a well known term in the policedog world anyway but then they really are scary buggers, my Riddick's just a softie really :D

random stuff...

Any more little stories you've been imagining YC in you'd like to share with us Paul? Should I be worried? :p ;);)

[Lou M]

One thing puzzles me, the original post said a colleague got mugged and then you went past only 45mins later. Why not arrange to walk together???????????.

Someone to talk to on the way home, safety in numbers etc.


She finishes work at 4.15, I finish at 5.

Thanks for your comments, very useful, I don't have a handbag but a brief case, so have changed it to my triumph courier bag which goes across my shoulder and another belt around the waist, try and nick that you b*stards. So I have both hands free, brolly is in one and I'm going to carry my maglite in the other, will ask for a bigger maglite for Christmas!

I like the deodorant idea, it might not hurt, but they might think it was pepper spray and back off.

Trouble is, I can't take any other routes homes, because there just aren't any. I do try to vary the times I walk home. Perhaps during winter I will just have to take the car, :(

[missyburd]

She finishes work at 4.15, I finish at 5.

Thanks for your comments, very useful, I don't have a handbag but a brief case, so have changed it to my triumph courier bag which goes across my shoulder and another belt around the waist, try and nick that you b*stards. So I have both hands free, brolly is in one and I'm going to carry my maglite in the other, will ask for a bigger maglite for Christmas!


hmm I'd imagine a brief case is a more tempting target than a handbag anyway, but I may be wrong.

When I go walking with the dog or if I think I'm in a dodgy area or see someone suspicious I usually find a big stick to carry, makes me feel a little safer.

Take care!

[Baph]

When I go walking with the dog or if I think I'm in a dodgy area or see someone suspicious I usually find a big stick to carry, makes me feel a little safer.


Funny thing you mention things like that. A couple of weeks ago I spent 4 or 5 days in Manchester. On the first day, I was given a huge brolly, golf style one, and had no option other than carry it around.

Strangely, it felt comfortable in my hand, and gave an added feeling of security.

Even more strange, is that I'm never paranoid in groups of people, however large, and I grew up in a city, so I'm used to massive areas of population & all the dark allies etc.

[missyburd]

Even more strange, is that I'm never paranoid in groups of people, however large, and I grew up in a city, so I'm used to massive areas of population & all the dark allies etc.

I get suspicious of anyone these days and not from having had a bad experience, I guess am just paranoid. If I walk about with my music plugged in I frequently check behind me to see that noone is following me. If I move to a new area I always check all the shortcuts and such like out so if I had to run I could find a different way home at short notice. I don't know why I'm like that but I daresay it doesn't hurt to be too careful. :rolleyes:

[Baph]

If I walk about with my music plugged in I frequently check behind me to see that noone is following me.
A good few months back, I walked to the village shop, on me tod, at night. I was listening to MP3s at the time, and there's a section of unlit path, in a the small villiage that I live in lol.

As I was walking, I watched the shadows around me, I'd just gone past a lamppost, and saw a shadow move. Luckily I had my hand on the MP3 player, and scrolled the volume down to nothing.

As I heard the footsteps get closer, I span around & caught a local scumbag around the chops. Should of seen the look! For all he knew, I'd just had music on, but I hit him before he hit me (he had his arm raised ready).

I had a few choice words that evening, and I've not seen him around the village since. :lol:

[Demonz]

A good few months back, I walked to the village shop, on me tod, at night. I was listening to MP3s at the time, and there's a section of unlit path, in a the small villiage that I live in lol.

As I was walking, I watched the shadows around me, I'd just gone past a lamppost, and saw a shadow move. Luckily I had my hand on the MP3 player, and scrolled the volume down to nothing.

As I heard the footsteps get closer, I span around & caught a local scumbag around the chops. Should of seen the look! For all he knew, I'd just had music on, but I hit him before he hit me (he had his arm raised ready).

I had a few choice words that evening, and I've not seen him around the village since. :lol:

You sure you were'nt having a fight club moment Baph ;)

[Baph]

You sure you were'nt having a fight club moment Baph ;)
lol, nah, was just a pure fluke. Just happened to be taking notice of what was happening, usually I'm just in my own little world walking around the village.

[Becks]

A Great Dane or a hunky Royal Marine is my best form of protection, ;).

Pepper is illegal, and with what I have seen nothing can match it, but pepper can also have no effect on some people. A deodorant can is harmless but a tin of spray paint can blind someone.

[_drummer_]

Someone may have posted this but have a look at the Personal alarms here (http://www.walkeasy.ltd.uk/) :)

[Lou M]

Well I happened to be in Marks and Sparks today, and they had some personal alarms by the till, £20 mind you!!!
But I bought one, so will keep it in my hand when I walk home. I know it's not much but it may put off any assailant, along with a smack round the head.

[Razor]

For self defence get a small powerful torch like surefire or one of it's cheap copies, the pointy strike bezels are ace. As at time of writing the carrying of a small torch is not illegal.

http://www.americanheritagesports.com/Images/sfE2D.jpg