My daughter has just started work as an estate agent now that she has completed her A levels (bar exams) - I know this is not everyone's cup of tea, and we all love to hate them but its something she has always wanted to do since she was 14 years old.

Anyway, she has been given the idea by her Aunt that she needs some mace or pepper spray for her handbag for when she goes out on viewings, which she is already doing. I have checked this out and it appears to be illegal in the UK? I am also worried that if she were to carry this is could always be used against her. The other side is that it is very effective and should she feel the need to use it, then it could just 'save' her on that one occasion. She is very responsible and I am certain would not use it unless she felt it absolutely necessary. Should she use it then to my mind, illegal or not, she is using 'reasonable force' to defend herself.

Anyway, views and opinions are sought?

Thanks

She can be arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.
Why not carry a can of hairspray or a gif lemon (squeezy). These are not illegal.
An alarm is also a good idea.

i imagine it's illegal for a reason. police carry CS so it's most likely that they want to have the most powerful weapon and if you use it back against them, it's you that's breaking the law. istr CS is actually classed as a firearm. i wasn't aware pepper spray was too though.

i understand your predicament, but equally, she could carry a knife or a gun. it'd still be illegal if she used it, and the british legal system would take a dim view.

istr you can only use a weapon against someoone as self defence if they're attacking you with a weapon of the same or greater ability.

i guess all she can do legally is be vigilant.
tom

Mmm it's a tricky one and given some of crimewatches past reports it can be a problem, a very small problem. I think youd find that some of the prfumes that a woman carries would be just as effective sprayed in the eyes as mace would. Then again in my ideal world a 357 magnum for these wasters would be better.
I'm sure she'll be fine but it doesn't stop you worrying about them.

any bottle of perfume sprayed into the eyes should do the trick and totally innocent to carry in hand bag



must learn to read previous posts before replying
[Edited on 18/5/08 by andybod]

[Edited on 18/5/08 by andybod]

What about a sock full of 2 pence coins? you can't be arrested for carrying a money bag.

Steve.

If you contact your local police station they will issue a personal alarm that lets out a high pitch whistle. We got one for our daughter who had to walk across parklkand from school. Very reassuring and made her feel more at ease. Hers cost about £5 from Maplins but fairly sure police giving for free.
Regards Trev

You can legally carry a rape alarm which gives an incredibly loud noise when triggered. This has an effect a bit like a stun grenade. Difficult to think and an urge to get away from the noise. Might even be safer for her than pepper spray as it's said to provoke a less agressive response. I know how you feel. My youngest daughter is joining the Army!

CS / pepper spray - section 5 firearms, Prohibited weapons. That 's the same offence as carrying a stun gun, hand gun, grenade, mortar etc etc. Probably not worthwhile taking the risk. Apart from anything else, the people using these sprays usually get a dose themselves, particularly if they don't think about the wind direction.
If you think she needs to be able to look after herself get her on a self defence course. There are loads of people do them. One I have heard of is I believe Keysi fighting method which is about using everyday objects such as pens, perfumes, mobile phones etc. as weapons in self defence.

Neil

Perfume is the one . I would hate to be sprayed in the eyes with that. It doesnt weigh as much as coins either.

Wot about an atomizer full of tabasco sauce???
She could always say the local kebab shop doesn't do a spicy enough doner

The best form of defence is .... defence
A course in self defence is far more sensible than carrying a weapon imo. Apart from the legality side of things, a weapon has to be found (handbag, pockets etc) before use and can often be turned against you by an attacker. Some quick moves can avert the problem before it starts.

[Edited on 18-5-08 by RazMan]

Some interesting comments from everyone!

I guess better than all these is learning to read situations well and extricate oneself from them before they become too difficult. Trouble is this skill comes with age and experience! I think I will try to persuade her to take a self defense course - particularly like the idea of the everyday objects one.

I'd recommend either Kali Escrema (probably wrong spelling) designed to be taught originally to farmers who had to learn to defend their land QUICK! very effective and covers using open or closed hand (ie with or without weapons).

The other one is the Israel army martial art - its based on the idea if the person is dead they can't hurt you. Its supposed to be one of the most 'effective' martial arts. Met a pharmacist in Glasgow who taught this. His side line is vulnerable people how to defend themselves in a knife / gun situation.

Having said that a friend teaches European Martial Arts (ie traditional swords, walking canes, bar room brawls (chairs, tea towels etc)) and he believes that Asian martial arts are only just now coming up to the standard of the European martial arts - but he would say that so i don't know if that is true or not & there are very few places that teach what he does.

G/f does Thai boxing and carries a kubixon. Its a small stick that allows you to punch with out breaking your knuckles / inflict more pain & can be used to hit pressure points. Looks incredibly innocent in her handbag (which weighs what a sock with 2p's in it would!) Another friend teaches Thai and studies Kali. I still fight the urge when their is trouble to "be a man" and "protect the women" - despite the fact they can both look after themselves far more effectively than i can.

I'll stick my 2p in at this point...

Being a trained martial artist and holder of a blackbelt in freestyle karate I would highly recommend some basic self defense tuition.

Both my young daughters take karate classes and I hope they never have to use what they are taught. In fact that pretty much goes for me too.

The best form of defense is to run away! It's the times that you are unable to run easily which are the problems. Under those circumstance applying pressure to sensitive areas to disable your attacker then running is the way to go.

There are lots of websites which will give you all sorts of "self-teach" defense moves which may help. The most effective however are things that you practice regulary. Knowing that some people can be disabled by jamming your fingers up into their armpit is one thing... being confident enough to use that in a panic situation is another.

Also remind her that a swift knee to the bits and pieces will generally floor any attacker regardless of size and gender! Yes, do that to a female and it'll hurt her too. Maybe not as much though!

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Originally posted by stevec
What about a sock full of 2 pence coins? you can't be arrested for carrying a money bag.

Steve.

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Definately personal attack alarm and some courses in self defence

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The other one is the Israel army martial art

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