Personal safety, Help!

[smithy_2045]

Don't exaggerate the dangers. It's all well and good to be aware of the possibilities, but the statistics will show that while it may be more dangerous than another area, you're still relatively safe unless you put yourself in high risk situations.

 

[Bluestorm83]

Muggers want: Money.
Muggers don't want: to work or get into trouble.

Based on those two rules of their behavior, if you don't make yourself look like a mark, they'll leave you alone. If you look like a hard target they'd pass you up in favor of robbing someone more vulnerable. Yeah, that's kinda a shit corollary, that if you're not getting robbed someone else is. But short of law enforcement and/or self defense that results in a dead mugger, there's nothing you can do about that.

Carry some legal weapon with you just incase, but most importantly is to just walk around like you own the place. If you look nervous, it signals that you have something to protect, AND aren't confident that you can protect it.

But seriously, if someone does decide to attack you, shoot/stab first. The life of a criminal is never worth protecting at the cost of the life of a victim.

 

[Bluestorm83]

Don't exaggerate the dangers. It's all well and good to be aware of the possibilities, but the statistics will show that while it may be more dangerous than another area, you're still relatively safe unless you put yourself in high risk situations.

"You're relatively safe" is no comfort to the 1 in 100 who DOES find themself in a dangerous situation. Someone's asking for advice for a worst case scenario. You don't ignore a future danger that "probably" won't happen. Because "Probably Won't" happens to someone every day.

 

[UniversalRonin]

Have you considered soiling yourself? The attacker will feel such revulsion that he'll flee into the night without harming you. Once you've trained yourself to vomit, defecate, and urinate on command you'll be untouchable.

This might possibly be the best advise on the thread. Mr BadExample, English doesn't have enough words to convey how much of a genius I think you are!

 

[Barbas]

Exercise regularly and lift weights to build up your biceps. Visit the police station and ask an experienced local officer what their best advice is for keeping safe, what local areas are the most dangerous, etc. Attend self-defence classes. Smile and be friendly and easy-going, always appear to be the reasonable one. Look out and listen out.

EDIT: Travel in a group of at least three people on nights out, if you can.

 

[smithy_2045]

Don't exaggerate the dangers. It's all well and good to be aware of the possibilities, but the statistics will show that while it may be more dangerous than another area, you're still relatively safe unless you put yourself in high risk situations.

"You're relatively safe" is no comfort to the 1 in 100 who DOES find themself in a dangerous situation. Someone's asking for advice for a worst case scenario. You don't ignore a future danger that "probably" won't happen. Because "Probably Won't" happens to someone every day.

If you're the 1 in 100, you give the robber(s) what they want (the 2 wallets/phones idea is a good one) and avoid escalating the situation. You don't try to be a hero and fight them off, because they almost certainly have less to lose than you. Money and phones are replaceable, your life is not.

 

[Pandaman1911]

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.

 

[Da Orky Man]

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.

Very, very, very illegal here. Our (UK) weapon laws are very strict, even compared to our continental neighbours. Hell, under certain circumstances, a screwdriver can be classed as an offensive weapon.

OP: Best advice I can think of is to look serious. When walking through any area you consider a risky area, but a scowl on and walk with a brisk, serious pace. Muggers will look for someone who seems jumpy or nervous rather than someone who looks like they know what their doing.

 

[Weaver]

Just act confident. I live and work in the downtown core of a city with a huge crack problem and I've walked home at all hours of the night and I've been okay.

Also, learn the safe streets; that will help a lot.

 

[JoJo]

Carry something threatening on your person, like a knife...

Don't do this OP, no offence intended to Sextus but I see from his profile he is an American and so he wouldn't know that carrying a knife that is either longer than 3 inches and/or does not fold in public without a good reason is very illegal in the UK. Seriously, it's more trouble than it's worth and will probably only increase your chances of getting stabbed anyway, don't do it.

 

[Worgen]

Carry a fake wallet, a mugger probably isn't gonna stick around after they get it, just carry one that is full of enough stuff to look full so if anyone demands it you can just toss it and run.

 

[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