How do UK members here protect themselves?

i have a friend who is a female police seargent in the uk. i asked her recentley id she would like to be armed when on the beat, she replied "no, if we get guns the criminls get guns, the market for guns is made bigger and organised crime increases, we have armed response units to deal with criminals carrying weapons, their relativley low key and the public likes that"

i have to agree with her.

To answer to the question in the thread, i have had to defend my self and others several times when i lived in the uk, my attitude has softened over the past few years but back in the day, you put me in a situation that makes me feel threatned and i would put you on your arse as fast as possible, using what ever is handy at the time. No way are you going to intimerdate me or my friends or my family when i am personally a caring and law abiding citizen, always wiling to help others.

I used to carry an extendable batton; such was the increase in violence in manchester when i was growing up.

When your having a pizza with friends at 1 in the morning and a gang of thugs looking for kicks; whilst high on alcohol and drugs, decides to punch your best mate in the face for a laugh, its time to react.

My biggest concern is that years ago no body would stand back and watch a mugging or violent assault take place in front of them, but now the fear of being stabbed or arrested for being a 'have a go hero' makes most turn the other cheek and walk away repeating "its not my problem, its not my problem" in their head.

I think its our social and moral duty to protect those that can not protect themselves, so in a way i do think that there is some sense in allowing people to carry something for their defense but obviously not a gun.

These days if i see trouble and there is the option to walk away, i do just that.

Hurt some one i love for no reason and i'll tear your face off and drink your blood.

Sentencing (in the uk at least) needs to be far stricter than it is, instead of this pathetic wrist slapping.

my 2 cents.

I couldn't agree more, Optimus! Very well said.

My friends were out one lunch time getting pizza, then some arsehole ran up to my mate and laid into him because he dresses "differently", what did the rest of my friends do? Absolutely jackpoo! I wasn't there at the time, but I wish I was.

I don't know why but if some drunken strangers are fighting, I can't even watch it, I think it's because of my dad (he was the violent type), but he doesn't matter (). If I see somebody being wrongly accused of something or just randomly beaten up, I will fight for him/her, well, I'd talk to them about it first, but if that didn't work, then... yeah.

If anybody hurt my family or friends, I wouldn't be surprised if I killed somebody. Once, my sister's friends came running up to my house telling me some kid I used to go to school with just sold her some drugs, so I ran down to where they were and absolutely annihilated the bugger. If anybody hurt the people I love, I would (and have) seriously hurt them, and make them apologise for bleeding on my clothes.

I have always used my voice and feigned aggression to get me out of dangerous situations. When two men carried me off the street in London and tried to get my clothes off, I bit one so hard in the arm that I drew blood and had sore teeth for a few weeks. They ran off. When I was 9 monts pregnant and the house was surrounded by 7 members of a yardie gang trying to smash their wqy into my home I rounded up my children and we hid in a cupboard! However 3 weeks later when a 6foot tall crack addict was in the driving seat of my car with my 2week old baby was beside him in his car seat - I lunged towards hime, pulled him out and shouted all kind of obsenities about how I was going to rip his head off. He ran off backwards, scared by my demeanour.


So the message in all this - I am only 5foot2inches and tiny!!! I have amild temperament - but in danger I can fight my corner with my tongue, language and loud voice. I do know when I am outnumbered. Growing up in Belfast during the troubles has helped my survival instinct. I can smell danger.

When walking - ALWAYS LOOK PURPOSEFUL. CONFIDENT AND SECURE. YOUR WIT AND INTELLIGENCE IS THE MOST POTENT WEAPON THAT YOU CAN HAVE.

Keep yourself grounded, and it will keep you within your power. There is ahuge difference between power and force. Learn to maintain your power.

Wow, psyfly7, I'm sorry to hear about all the horrible events you've been through. Although, you do sound like a tough cookie.

Originally posted by psyfly7

When walking - ALWAYS LOOK PURPOSEFUL. CONFIDENT AND SECURE. YOUR WIT AND INTELLIGENCE IS THE MOST POTENT WEAPON THAT YOU CAN HAVE.

I couldn't agree more. I always try to imagine that I own everything and everyone when I'm walking outside in a busy area, I know that sounds so arrogant, I can assure you I'm not an arrogant person, but it really does make you feel more confident, which then makes you look confident.


[edit on 30-6-2006 by xeroxed88]

Another technique I learned (a bit more spiritual mind), is to imagine that as you walk a bright, purifying golden light is emanating from your centre. Be calm and let the light surround you and people seem not to notice you. It has worked for me but is probably sue to some psychosomatic belief that "I am safe" which then makes me truly believe I am and then my attitude reflects this.

i live in the north of england and i think everyone should take the steps to protect themselves. i have a sword, this is good enough to scare someone but i dont think i would use it, if it came down to me or some scum whose broke into my house however i would use it straight away and sod what the law says
i pay taxes but i live in a poor estate if you could call it that and police dont help us my bike got stolen and i asked 1 who was walking down my street and he told me to f*** off the law only helps the rich
my advice is to think about yourself because the "law" certainly doesnt. its better to have a sword and not need it than need a sword and not have it

I also live in a poor area of Nottingham (the gun crime capital of England. Brap brap!)
Our local police are fast to a crime scene, not racist (at least not that I know of), and always keep a car or officer nearby as I live in a rough area (someone was murdered about 5 seconds away from my house)

I suggest you contact your local MP and report the officers statements to him/her. It is their job to make sure things like that don't happen. And if you don't report them then you are just as bad in my eyes as you could be preventing other 'poor' people getting the help they need.

yea i wont let that happen again its his name and number next time! even if i reported him though nothing would happen, nothing ever does, the police officers word is final and who would belive someone like me anyway(that is the attitude), you would be suprised how many people it has happened to where live. everyone turns the other cheek now that seems to be the culture nowadays

forgot ''petrol bombs'', where on earth are my rights? i want an atomic bomb, armed. im not gonna use it, i promise. i just want to look at it.


i wouldnt kill any1 so i feel i have a right to own one

[edit on 30-6-2006 by SteveG]

[edit on 30-6-2006 by SteveG]

The pen is mightier than the sword

My favorite weapons to carry for self-defence is a steel Parker pen, which can stab through clothing with not much effort, and a pocket of small denomination 'muggers change'

If you are ever confronted, make as if you are about to empty your pockets, get a handful of coins and throw at the mugger. This is guaranteed to disorientate as the mugger will stop and look at the coins for a split second and allow you to either follow up with a swift stab with the pen or run like the wind....However, as others have pointed out, if you walk with your head held high and an assertive stance you will be left alone in the first place...if you walk with a slouch and display timid/worried mannerisms and facial expressions, you will more likely be singled out as a target

Originally posted by JackofBlades
I also live in a poor area of Nottingham (the gun crime capital of England. Brap brap!)

Maybe what Nottingham needs is a sherriff...?

Mugger change...well its been along time since i have heard that one.. I nearly fell off my chair laughing!

My husband and his friends teach female self defence classes, and they have the most ferocious and brutal methods I have ever seen. Nothing is gentle or passive, but nothing needs a black pyjama suit and a war cry to carry out either.

Smashes with forearms to the face, throat strikes with elbows, chest imploding forearm smashes and my favorite is the anti grapple methods they teach. To be honest it really really is great fun and i really enjoyed the classes they ran last year. Oh and my favorite of all is the ....muggers money trick. pocket full of pennies and two penny pieces launch at the mouth... hahahha muggers choice as KJ calls it...

Oh and I carry a trident every where i go. 130 db of nasty attitude, and the smell.... socks worn for 6 weeks in a desert then left in the sun to ferment a week! (Yes they really smell that bad!)

My favorite weapons to carry for self-defence is a steel Parker pen, which can stab through clothing with not much effort, and a pocket of small denomination 'muggers change'

i am so going to mug you now dude.....i have your escape stradegy marked....lol

Personally I think an Englishmans home is his castle rules.

Yes I know you can be sued for giving a burglar a slap. But thats were we go wrong. Dont end at a slap.

Farmer Tony Martin shot one "gypo" dead and wounded another. The survivor went on to testify and tried to sue.
Tony Martins mistake was not to finish the job.
If he had done for both and removed the evidence...(and lets face it disposing of bodies aint that hard in the UK...as long as your not speeding the filth wont catch you:lol...who would mourn the loss of some scum "pikies". People would think they just moved on...probably to tarmac someones drive and to rob some old lady

You enter my home at your peril burglaring scum. You will "disappear". Is it really worth the risk for a colour telly to fund your next shot of H? Not that there is any rational thought with this scum that prey on the elderly.

Heres a story. Someone I know had reason many years ago to use a "device" to cause harm to a "gentleman" who thought that he and his chums had the upper hand with him in the street.
He felt no fear just joy at the expression on their faces as they lifted up their chum and scurried away. Hopefully to hospital. He still, I believe, has fond memories of that guy lying there in the street holding his guts...he found it a great feeling. Many many years later and in a different country I look back and think where is he now? Imagine breaking into his house? This guy used to talk about weird things and torturing animals to death. I would think if you died quickly at his hand you would be lucky.

I knew him and I find the thought of him unsettling. What made it worse was he was so civilised and quiet spoken in company. This is something I am wary of now.....................

Personally I think an Englishmans home is his castle rules.

Yes I know you can be sued for giving a burglar a slap. But thats were we go wrong. Dont end at a slap.

Farmer Tony Martin shot one "gypo" dead and wounded another. The survivor went on to testify and tried to sue.
Tony Martins mistake was not to finish the job.
If he had done for both and removed the evidence...(and lets face it disposing of bodies aint that hard in the UK...as long as your not speeding the filth wont catch you:lol...who would mourn the loss of some scum "pikies". People would think they just moved on...probably to tarmac someones drive and to rob some old lady

You enter my home at your peril burglaring scum. You will "disappear". Is it really worth the risk for a colour telly to fund your next shot of H? Not that there is any rational thought with this scum that prey on the elderly.

Heres a story. Someone I know had reason many years ago to use a "device" to cause harm to a "gentleman" who thought that he and his chums had the upper hand with him in the street.
He felt no fear just joy at the expression on their faces as they lifted up their chum and scurried away. Hopefully to hospital. He still, I believe, has fond memories of that guy lying there in the street holding his guts...he found it a great feeling. Many many years later and in a different country I look back and think where is he now? Imagine breaking into his house? This guy used to talk about weird things and torturing animals to death. I would think if you died quickly at his hand you would be lucky.

I knew him and I find the thought of him unsettling. What made it worse was he was so civilised and quiet spoken in company. This is something I am wary of now.....................

I have big dogs to protect everyone in my family, most petty thugs are afraid of fierce overprotective guard dogs, and I strongly recomend big dogs as pets to people who get burglered often. They really help even when your not home.

Dogs are also great when you need to go somewhere, just have to make sure that they don't bite any innocent people on your journey...

The best type of guard dog is without doubt a Staffie. They are loyal to children, family and friends (even those they haven't met) but the instant someone who has bad intentions enters your house, they start kicking up a riot.

Originally posted by JackofBlades
The best type of guard dog is without doubt a Staffie.

It's not the Staffie you should worry about...it's the Chav on the other end of the lead that you should be wary of

I used to have a Stayffy.....and I ain't no CHAV!!!!!!!!
I have no tracksuits, no shox or TN's, no caps, only two hoodies (but they're made by actual labels not Nike/Reebok)
I don't sit in parks downing bottles of Lambrini/cider
To be fair, I do talk like a chav but that's what living in an area surrounded by them will do to ya (and I sound better than Aisleyne off BB as well!)

It sure seems like the UK is a violent place based on all these posts.

Funny thing about the states with our primitive-to-you victim disarmament laws and pistol packing society is that the majority of US citizens will never be car-jacked, mugged, or burglarized.

We don’t have chavs running our streets. If you get the crap beat out of you in the states you probably deserved it (or the other guy deserved it and you couldn’t deliver.)

Americans don’t normally get into fights for no reason (unless you live in a movie.) American teens understand old man strength; most men over 30 can kick the crap out of the toughest teenager bad ass.

Not to mention the guns keep us nice. You can get a feel of who is carrying and who is not (of course, don’t bet your life on it) and victimize someone based on that, however Americans are nosy and if the person you are harassing isn’t armed, some old lady in the parking lot/mall/street/casino is (at least in the low crime areas of our country) and wont hesitate to draw down on you.

Not really something you guys have to worry about though, as your criminals get a government guarantee that their victim will not be able to defend themselves (neither will the cops, for that matter.)