How safe are you from theft?
Well, according to recent Office For National Statistics records, there were 1,820,079 theft offences recorded in England and Wales throughout the year ending December 2016. These numbers show an alarming 4% increase compared with the previous year. These records also revealed that vehicle theft had increased by 8%, robbery offences were up by 10% and theft from the person offences were up by 6%.
As such, it has becoming increasingly important for everyday civilians to remain aware of the ever-present risk of theft and to prepare themselves accordingly. Now, we’re not saying that you have to batten down the hatches and prepare for a Mad Max style scenario but there are several precautions that you can implement within your daily lives in order to reduce your risk of being targeted for theft.
For instance, you can equip yourself with some legal self-defence items so that you can protect yourself if you are confronted by a potential assailant. So, if you’ve been looking for some personal safeguards against theft, then listed below are our top 3 legal self-defence items that you can use to defend yourself and your family;
1 – Attack Alarms
Often referred to as ‘rape alarms’, attack alarms are portable devices that emit a loud distress signal at the press of a button in order to alert others that you are under attack or that you are being followed by a suspicious individual. These seemingly innocuous devices can prove extremely useful in the event of an attack as they will draw the attention of passersby as well as deterring potential attackers who will most likely flee for fear of being apprehended by local authorities. Some of the most popular attack alarms currently available include;
- Police Approved Mini Minder 140b: An attack alarm that has been fitted with an ear piercing 140dB siren, a torch and a separate Alarm cord to the keyring itself in order to prevent false activation.
- Safehaus PAL029 Multi-Functional Personal Alarm: The loudest personal alarm siren in the UK that has been fitted a 143dB siren which is audible up to half a mile (800 metres) away! Each Safehaus PAL029 has also been fitted with a high intensity strobe light upon activation. This multi-functional personal alarm can be easily attached onto your bag, belt or person and it can also be affixed onto a wall for use as a household panic button or as an external shed alarm.
- Jay!D Portable Panic Alarm: A small, compact keychain alarm with a loud, high-pitched 120dB siren that parallels the noise levels of a jackhammer or circular saw. Attach onto a keychain, belt or trouser pocket and benefit from its long-lasting 23A 12V battery for peace of mind whilst travelling alone or at night.
2 – Non-Toxic Anti-Attack Sprays
Under Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968, UK residents are not allowed to carry or use any weapon of any description that has been “designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other substance”. As a result, UK residents are not allowed to carry pepper spray or CS spray of any kind.
However, there are several mini-sprays such as Eveaid Self-Defence Anti-Attack Spray which you are allowed to carry and use. These types of legal pepper spray clones are referred to as “legal aggressor deterrents” and they are permitted under the Firearms Act 1968 due to the fact that they contain no toxic chemicals which may cause lasting effects or damage.
You are also allowed to carry and use Safehaus Criminal Identifier Spray which sprays a red coloured Fabrigel dye onto your assailant which will remain on their clothes and skin for several days. The use of these types of non-toxic sprays can provide you with a window of opportunity for escaping from potential attackers. What’s more, the remnants of the vibrant Fabrigel dye can be used to identify your assailant when you contact your local authorities.
3 – High-Powered Self-Defence Torches
Let there be light! If you are reluctant to carry a non-toxic attack spray then you may prefer to carry a high-powered self-defence torch. These lightweight yet highly dependable tools can be used to direct a focused beam of light into the eyes of your attackers; granting you the life-saving element of surprise. Use your tactical torch to disorient and distract your assailant so that you can make a hasty escape and head for a crowded area. If you are interested in purchasing a trusty tactical torch then listed below are some of the most popular self-defence torches used by the military and law enforcement;
- Semlos 5 Modes XM-L T6 900LM Focus Torch Light: A resilient tactical torch that has been constructed with a skid-proof and water-resistant design. This torch also boasts a sturdy aircraft-grade aluminium alloy body. Equip yourself with five easy-to-adjust focused lighting ranges (High, Middle, Low, Strobe and SOS) that can be used to disorient assailants and attract the attention of passersby. This torch will deliver a powerful 900 Lumen output and comes equipped with 50,000 hrs long lifetime alongside an AC battery charger kit.
- Olight® Torch 1000 Lumens M1X Striker LED Tactical Torch: A waterproof tactical torch which has been equipped with five brightness levels that range from 0.5 lumens up to 1000 lumens as well as a strobe mode. Despite its small, compact design, this self-defence torch can illuminate up to 190m beam distance, has a 1.5 meters impact resistance and features a sturdy, shockproof body design.
- Vansky® Led Torch Pocket Torch: Measuring just 156mm long, this tactical torch will easily fit within your pocket, handbag or vehicle’s glove box compartment. This self-defence torch can be relied upon to emit a spot or flood beam of 800 lumens at a moment’s notice. This zoomable LED light torch also features a skid-proof, water-resistant design and has five different lighting modes (High, Medium, Low Beam, Strobe and SOS Switch).
Ultimately, by equipping yourself with some of these reliable tactical tools, learning some basic self-defence techniques and remaining aware of your surroundings at all times, you can significantly reduce your likelihood of being targeted by opportunistic criminals. Moreover, you can rest assured that you will be able to respond quickly and confidently should such an unfortunate incident ever occur.
If you have any doubts regarding the legal restrictions concerning self-defence items then it is advised that you contact your local authorities for more advice. We also recommend adhering to the following guidelines that have been outlined by Ask Police;
- You must not get a product which is made or adapted to cause a person injury. Possession of such a product in public (and in private in specific circumstances) is against the law.
- There are products which squirt a relatively safe, brightly coloured dye (as opposed to a pepper spray). A properly designed product of this nature, used in the way it is intended, should not be able to cause an injury.
- However, be aware that even a seemingly safe product, deliberately aimed and sprayed in someone’s eyes, would become an offensive weapon because it would be used in a way that was intended to cause injury.
- Any products bought from abroad have a greater chance of being illegal.
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