Personal safety, Help!

[Artina89]

What I would suggest is maybe meeting with a friend/colleague and walk home or partway home together if you feel unsafe. I for one, never carry my purse with me to work, as I don't need to use it, instead, I carry maybe £10-£20 in cash on me, and only when I know I will need to have some money on me. Also, use a cheap phone that you don't mind losing/breaking. Try and stick to populated areas and chances are that no one will hurt you. As someone who comes from an area that a lot of people would deem as "rough" I would say that as long as you don't look for trouble, trouble won't come looking for you.

 

[Yopaz]

1) You actually have to learn to use a knife. It's way more difficult than to sue a firearm. You end up injuring yourself or get the knife taken from you and you're more screwed.

Having lost several lawsuits towards firearms I still have to agree with this. It's hard to sue a firearm, but it's harder to use a knife properly. Sorry, I couldn't help it. Still, this is sound advice, do not make yourself threatening. Try to avoid attracting attention, but also look like you're confident and know the area. Easy targets tend to be those who are lost and insecure.

Also some advice in case you do get in trouble, try to keep little valuables on you and if you're wearing a jacket with an inner pocket keep your credit card, drivers license and anything else that you need and that might be hard to replace there. Then keep a second wallet with the bare minimum of cash inside. Most dangers will be in the form of mugging and if you quickly surrender your wallet (which won't contain much) you're less likely to get beaten up or stabbed over it.


Having an extra phone that doesn't cost much might also be a good idea.

 

[ninjaRiv]

Become Batman.

OR... Stick to crowded streets (crowded as in other people walking from work), hands out of pockets, be ready to run, keep your head on a swivel, make yourself look big but not too big. Stuff like that. But you drive, so you only have to make it to the car, right? Same rules apply but be careful to check around corners and such. It'd help if you can park near the building but not too close (so not near hiding places).

Don't carry a knife or anything; that's stupidly stupid.

 

[Griffolion]

I was going to recommend that you got a concealed carry permit, but seeing as you live in the UK, you can't do that. I'm not familiar with UK laws, but you could consider carrying a knife. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

If you're caught with a knife on you, that's a pretty serious offense. Legally, you're going to have a bad time carrying a knife, even if it's potentially used in self defense.

 

[WashAran]

Act like you are tweaked out of your mind. Nobody is going to attack you if they dont know what you are on.

 

[zerragonoss]

Being in the UK kind of limits your options. Tasers are illegal, any form of concealed firearm is super illegal, pepper spray is illegal, carrying a knife is illegal, batons are illegal, brass knuckles are illegal... so yeah, unless you want to become a criminal yourself, there's not much you can do about things. Maybe get in better shape? I mean, I have no idea what shape you're in, but there's always room for improvement. Try and become a track star, or something. Gotta go fast.

-EDIT-
Oh my god, I'm so fucking stupid. Just get a Maglite! Three D-cell batteries encased in a solid steel barrel is one surefire way to make a lasting impression. Look to see if you can take some martial arts lessons anywhere in your area, or see if you can't get some training so you can know how to wield the damn thing.

Spoiler

Thwack.

They made illegal all the things people these days would thing about using but its surprisingly common how often the laws don't address surprisingly effective weapons just because people don't use them any more. Is it illegal to carry a sword, staff, mace stuff like that? If you could carry one of these you would easily be the most well armed person in the area. Not that its in any way a good idea to be the most armed person in an area, some people that would scare off other that would just make you a boss mob with a good loot drop. Even discounting the difficulty of using some of these weapons without proper training.

 

[grey_space]

Spoiler

OK. First, I am a martial arts instructor, so I hope my words carry some weight here. Second, I live in America, and grew up in a rather sullen place where I had to play games of 'dodge the meth dealer' on the way to school every morning. So, forgive me when I say you are making too big of a deal out of this.

Point one: If you act scared and think like a victim, the chances of becoming a victim increase. Muggers never randomly pick targets, they watch carefully for the right time and the right person. If you walk with confidence, your chances of being mugged are slim, even if you are alone. When people get mugged, it is often because they were sick, they had their head down, were pre-occupied, etc. Walk with others if you can, even try to schedule and coordinate walking to your car with other employees.

Point two: Carrying a weapon is a very bad idea. If you are not trained extensively in the use of that weapon in combat, it is far more likely to get you arrested or even killed than it is to save your life. I cannot stress this point enough: weapons are only for people who have learned to use them thoroughly, and have enough discipline to use them wisely.

Point three: If you still feel uncomfortable there, you still have some options. You can buy a simple, modern defense weapon like Chemical Suppressant or a Taser. You can also sign up for personal defense classes. But you need to be careful when doing so. If you go the route of spray, then buy some higher-end stuff, like what mail carriers and police use. Also, get some cans of bug spray about the same size as your can and practice drawing and spraying. If you decide to take classes, then shop around and ask questions about the lineage of the martial art and the training for the teachers. I could show you hundreds or thousands of YouTube 'self-defense' videos that contain techniques that can get you killed. you can never learn what you need to learn to win an actual fight from a video. Not ever.

In short, the first thing is to get your head in the right place. If you think like a victim, you will act like a victim, and the chances that someone will victimize you increase. Second, decide a course of action through careful thought. If you have any more questions about self defense, I would be happy to help.

Click on the spoiler, read it again, and do that. Some people on this thread seem to be talking utter nonsense.
'Carry a knife' indeed.

I've worked as security for years and trained martial arts for even longer.

My advice?

Listen to what Ryan Hughes said. With the caveat being that if you are going down the spray route just make sure it's legal to use where you are. For example it's illegal in Ireland where I'm from.

 

[spartan231490]

Take a martial arts class. No one's going to be able to teach you how to protect yourself on a discussion forum. On the other hand, a good martial arts group will teach you everything, from how to keep yourself from looking like a target, to how to protect yourself empty handed, and many of them will also allow you to take weapons training classes.

In the scope of what I can tell you in a blog post, stay in well-lit areas, walk confidently and stay aware of your surroundings. The best thing to do is not get attacked in the first place. I know UK laws on self-defense weapons can be very strict, but whatever you can carry, carry it, and PRACTICE using it. A lot. However long it takes you to think you're good enough, practice that long again beyond that. Then keep practicing to keep your skills up. Practice your unarmed just as hard because you might not get time to reach your weapon.

Only real advice I can give you when it comes to a fight is to strike hard and fast, and the first chance you get to run, you take it. You don't win a street fight by beating the other guy to a pulp, you win by getting away safe and unhurt.

 

[Yuuki]

On the other hand, a good martial arts group will teach you everything, from how to keep yourself from looking like a target, to how to protect yourself empty handed, and many of them will also allow you to take weapons training classes.

Wait, do you mean actual martial arts or self-defense groups? I think they are slightly different things.

I've seen a couple of martial arts groups (Karate, Judo, Taekwondo) in action and they seem to be primarily practicing the actual actual art rather than going over real-life self defense situations. More oriented with improving fitness, agility, stamina, learning art-specific techniques, stances/moves, etc. While I'm not saying that could be useful, in a typical self-defense situation the first thing people tend to do is forget all the fancy stuff they've learned and resort to raw motor skills.

I think there are specific self-defense classes that don't focus on any particular martial art, only ways to maximize self-protection and incapacitate/stop attackers as quickly and easily as possible (stuff that almost anyone is capable of regardless of fitness/strength). It could be derived from what US Marines use...no specific martial art, just some key sets of go-to moves to inflict painful shit in hand-to-hand scenarios

 

[faefrost]

Is a defensive weapon like Pepper Spray legal in the UK? If so that might not be a bad option for a jacket pocket. Otherwise take every possible precaution. Always leave work in pairs after dark, etc.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

I must admit I feel a little silly asking this, but hey, all you Escapist guys and gals seem to be pretty good with everything so why not.

To cut a long story short, I work at a Game shop in the UK, hours are fairly low due to high staff numbers, but I love the work, and I love talking to people about video games. Recently I was given a shift in a town about a half hour/forty five minuet drive away, As I needed the money I took it, due to good performance they want to give me more hours there, which absolutely rocks, so already I'm going to be spending a few days of next week there, with a real chance of getting a position on the management team over there.

Now my problem is that this town I've been given these shifts in could be easily described as a terrible, terrible, place. The town is full of yobs, and angry drunks, muggings are more common than in other places in my county, and as a testament to how bad the place is their annual town bonfire has been 'indefinably suspended' due to the fact there is at least one stabbing every time it happens, one of my colleges used to be a bouncer at a fairly respected club there, and he got stabbed in the back by someone who mistook him for an enemy of there's (obviously he survived relativity unharmed, just a bit of stiffness here and there). Obviously I'm being a little dramatic, this stuff doesn't happen everyday, it's not a war zone or anything,there are no roving gangs of Fallout three-esk bandits roaming the town, but what I'm trying to say is it's not a great place.

I'm a little lost, what exactly is the question here?

I'd say have a weapon on you, but my experience with UK weapon laws is that anything above a nail file will land you in the slammer, so...throw your wallet at them and run, I guess.

 

[spartan231490]

snip If you find yourself in that situation fucking throw your wallet at them.

Reading this triggered a memory for me, one of the best things to do when mugged is to cooperate except when they ask for your money, don't hand it to them, throw it away from both of you. While they go for the money, run. They're more interested in the wallet than you. I don't remember where I heard it though.

Also, you might want to just check with the local PD and see what they suggest. Odds are that they know the situation pretty well, and they might have some really good advice.

Silly question, but how does one "walk confidently"? Fast? Slowly? Strutting around like you own the place? Or just not giving a rat's ass?

There's a lot to it, but the two biggest things are to keep your head and eyes up; and to not slump your shoulders. Don't puff your chest up or look down at people, that's too far. Best advice, go to a mall or something and watch people walking around, and you'll see some of them looking more confident than others, watch what they do.

On the other hand, a good martial arts group will teach you everything, from how to keep yourself from looking like a target, to how to protect yourself empty handed, and many of them will also allow you to take weapons training classes.

Wait, do you mean actual martial arts or self-defense groups? I think they are slightly different things.

I've seen a couple of martial arts groups (Karate, Judo, Taekwondo) in action and they seem to be primarily practicing the actual actual art rather than going over real-life self defense situations. More oriented with improving fitness, agility, stamina, learning art-specific techniques, stances/moves, etc. While I'm not saying that could be useful, in a typical self-defense situation the first thing people tend to do is forget all the fancy stuff they've learned and resort to raw motor skills.

I think there are specific self-defense classes that don't focus on any particular martial art, only ways to maximize self-protection and incapacitate/stop attackers as quickly and easily as possible (stuff that almost anyone is capable of regardless of fitness/strength). It could be derived from what US Marines use...no specific martial art, just some key sets of go-to moves to inflict painful shit in hand-to-hand scenarios

All the martial arts schools I've heard of practice some real-life defense situations as well, and combined with the general martial art training it's pretty solid self-defense training.

 

[barbzilla]

KNIFE IS BAD IDEA FOR SELF DEFENSE

Couple reasons:
A) It's a lethal threat and if you have to use it, it's a lethal weapon... and while logically it's nice to have one if someone else does, you don't want to be in a knife fight, if personal safety is something you're after.
B) It's really hard to justify the use of a knife in self defense, legally. Incidents with edged weapons are a lot more likely to go to court if the police get involved.

I think this is pretty well universally true, especially so for some areas.

Get some martial arts training and be physically fit; it will appear in how you project yourself. Its my experience that thugs see right through a pretend 'macho walk', or might rise to challenge it. Beyond that, avoid confrontations and if forced into a fight, your best course is to stun and run. Strike quickly and move with force, then leg it.

Finally, if you're *determined* to arm yourself I'd suggest a weighty flashlight, PD spray, or hard stick.

*One edit, regarding Knives. They're wonderful tools and I'm not against having one about you, just don't get it involved in violence.

Pretty much this, most knife fights are over in a matter of seconds, and nobody truly wins (and this is from someone trained in Mantas Daga). Understand that the best form of defense when it comes to combat is to not be involved. In other words, avoid the fight as often as possible. I have been training in various martial arts for the better part of 18 years, and I've been in all of three fights. That isn't because I wasn't confronted, but I knew when to run, when to de-escalate the situation, and when to stay and fight (note: the last one isn't often). As such I have only ever lost one fight, and that was a knife fight. I say I lost, but the attacker took the worst of it, still though I ended up in the hospital as well.

Avoid knives, avoid fights, and learn the places to avoid and you should be fine.

 

[Ryan Hughes]

Click on the spoiler, read it again, and do that. Some people on this thread seem to be talking utter nonsense.
'Carry a knife' indeed.

I've worked as security for years and trained martial arts for even longer.

My advice?

Listen to what Ryan Hughes said. With the caveat being that if you are going down the spray route just make sure it's legal to use where you are. For example it's illegal in Ireland where I'm from.

Thank you, it is always nice to have your opinion validated by a fellow professional gentleman. And you are quite right that there have been some downright dangerous suggestions here.

I did some research and found that both Tasers and Chemical/Mace/Pepper Spray are illegal in most parts of the UK. Which is somewhat understandable, likely better than the US, where everything is legal, except brass knuckles/cestus. Odd, high-powered assault rifles are legal, but brass knuckles are a felony for merely possessing them in many states.

OT: I realize my original post may have seemed a bit aggressive, but I assure you that the UK is far more stable than many parts of the US, and I believe that it is unlikely you will become the victim of an assault if you keep the right frame of mind.

Many have said here that you need to work on your muscles or that you need to 'act' tough or intimidating. I am all of 5 foot 8 inches, normal build, perhaps slightly athletic, and have walked some the world's most dangerous streets, including Beijing and Bangkok, without any weapons and without any trouble. This is not because I am intimidating, but because I am aware without being afraid.

This has to come from your own confidence, not from how you look, dress, or act. Confidence can only be found within, and you need to find that for yourself, no one on an internet forum can give it to you. It can be very difficult at first, but if you hold your head high and pay attention, it is highly unlikely that anyone will cause trouble for you.

It should go without saying though, that if someone mugs you, give them what they want. If they want your wallet, fine. Watch, rings and even car keys, fine, hand them over. Those are just metal and money and they are easily replaced. Considering your user name, I assume you are male, and that means giving the mugger what they want will work 999 times out of 1,000. Women, unfortunately, do not have things so easily.

If you want advice on that 1/1,000 chance though, I would be happy to help you find a dojo or school that would suit you in your area. Not to brag, but I know a bit about these things, and I am sure I could help you find a school that teaches solid martial arts.

 

[LadyLightning]

You could always walk around dressed in an Assassin's Creed robe or a Hylian tunic. On the way to work, you look crazy and unapproachable walking around in cosplay, and when you get to work, well, you're a game character at a game shop. lul

 

[Saika Renegade]

Walk with a cane.

No, I'm serious. Find a nice, solid, hardwood cane and walk with it as an accessory, not as a movement aid. I have a few friends in the UK who have told me that firearms violence is not as common, but knife and cosh violence is still a thing. So... invest in a nice, solid cane, and in a pinch you can defend yourself by the simple expedient of gripping and swinging. A well made cane can be used to jab, swing, bludgeon, and disarm. You will have more reach than all but the most extreme of bladed weapons (which probably wouldn't be allowed out in public as they would have to be swords or spears). While I may be wrong, I'm to understand you can't be ticketed for owning what is at worst a fashion accessory. If some chav really means to start the business, you are substantially less likely to kill them with a cane if you have to protect yourself.

I say this having lived in and worked in rough neighborhoods (and I still do), and have found that while would-be toughs will still try to antagonize a man with a cane (and I need it for an actual leg injury that hampers my walking, no less), the barely-literate thug who accosted me did not want to hang around to get hit in the head or stomach again after the first time. As I live in the southern United States I am aware of the potential of having been shot in this incident, but I am glad to say this was not the case. The officer who took my statement did not necessarily agree with my actions, but seeing as how my antagonist wanted a fight rather than my money and my inability to move at any pace above a limp means that I could not have retreated from the situation, it was about the best outcome I could have hoped for.

Barring all that personal defense business, befriend your local police chief and your store manager; bring them together for a quick meeting to discuss the possibility of some sort of panic button that will automatically alert an authority to a crime in progress.

 

[Karma168]

Carry something threatening on your person, like a knife and try to appear confident. Pretty much do everything in your power to look like a bad target.

No, no, no. Worst advice ever. Police catch you with a knife and you're fucked, they don't care if it's for show and you don't plan on stabbing anyone. Police find a knife on you and you can kiss management chances goodbye, they don't take that stuff lightly because of how bad knife crime is in some areas.

So... I'm going to guess that carrying knives around in the UK is a much worse crime than in the US. Good to know.

Yeah, since we don't have guns to the same degree as the US, people are more likely to use knives in crimes like muggings/robberies/etc. so police crack down hard on anyone carrying one without good reason.

p.s. Sorry if my first post seemed a bit aggressive. Just read it back there, wording's not great.

 

[Ravage]

I don't know the gun laws out there too well.

But if you're given an option whether to conceal or not, I suggest concealing. Element of surprise and all.

Otherwise all the advice above me is fantastic. Just something to consider.

 

[saruman31]

If anybody ever tries to mug you, you have 2 chocies; make sure you can take him out in 1 punch or run. If he is smaller than you go for the punch, if not, run.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Carry something threatening on your person, like a knife and try to appear confident. Pretty much do everything in your power to look like a bad target.

No, no, no. Worst advice ever. Police catch you with a knife and you're fucked, they don't care if it's for show and you don't plan on stabbing anyone. Police find a knife on you and you can kiss management chances goodbye, they don't take that stuff lightly because of how bad knife crime is in some areas.

So... I'm going to guess that carrying knives around in the UK is a much worse crime than in the US. Good to know.

Very much so. In the US carrying around anything up to about 3.25 inches long is fine pretty much anywhere, with some jurisdictions letting you carry something even longer. I carry one that long /as a tool/[footnote]And use it pretty much every day. Have various screwdrivers, bottle openers and the like on my keychain, too. You just never know when you might need to cut open a package or tighten a screw.[/footnote], not a weapon, and I'm totally within my rights. In the UK a cop would take one look at the thing and arrest me. Especially since, in addition to the length, it's got a locking blade and can be opened one handed, which are a safety feature and cool, respectively, but big no-nos in the UK.