Safety Awareness Course

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Introduction
We do not seek to tell anyone what they should or should not do, we all have choices to make in our life; our aim is to provide the most current sensible advice. Armed with that advice everyone can then make his or her own informed choice. Staying safe and aware of your situation. Make sure that you are not helpless if attacked. We will be looking at how self-defence can help prevent or minimise the risk of attack.

Prevention is always better than the cure.

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What the Law says you can do

The concept of the defence exists both at common law and by statute. At common law the defence has existed for centuries and permits a person to use reasonable force to: 1. 2. 3. Defend themselves from attack Prevent an attack on another person Defend their property

In addition to the common law defence, section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967 (the statutory defence) provides that: "A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large."
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If ever there was any doubt as to the authority for using Self-defence, the words of Lord Parker are helpful. His Lordship said:

"....Where a forcible and violent felony is attempted upon the person of another, the party assaulted, or his servant, or any other person present, is entitled to repel force by force, and, if necessary, to kill the aggressor ....".

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Avoiding Violence
Most of us would prefer to avoid any kind of physical confrontation - this is a healthy attitude to have. There are many ways you can ward off actual violence or diffuse a dangerous situation.

Firstly, assess the situation. Unless someone actually jumps out and
attacks you, you may have a chance to prevent a situation from becoming violent.

Look at your potential attacker. Compare their size and weight and apparent strength with your own. Is it likely that the attacker is armed?

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Things to look out for

Long hair and clothing you could grab. Heavy boots/shoes, which might cause serious injury. Friends, either yours who can come to your aid, or the attackers who
may become involved in an attack

Assess the body language, facial expressions and voice of the

potential attacker. These may show whether violence is imminent.

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 Follow your instincts. If you have a feeling that there is a problem, then there IS a problem. Look at your own ability to escape.

Are you restricted in movement by your clothing especially by your footwear? If so be prepared to kick off your shoes and run.
Can you escape the situation to a safe place nearby, such as an occupied house or business?

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Preparing to Fight back

You need to decide if and how you will fight back. No one can make the decision for you but evidence suggests that
people who have at least attempted to fight back bear fewer psychological scars following an attack than those who didnt defend themselves.

Obviously every situation is different only you can judge what is right.
If you do fight back, get angry and give it everything you have. Make noise and yell. You dont have to fight fairly your attacker wont!

During the confrontation, take any opportunity you can to escape, alert
the police or reach safety. This isnt weak its sensible! The aim is to get away safely.
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Crime Statistics for April 03 March 04

1 0 ,0 0 0 9 ,0 0 0

8 ,0 0 0

7 ,0 0 0

6 ,0 0 0

5 ,0 0 0

4 ,0 0 0

3 ,0 0 0

2 ,0 0 0

1 ,0 0 0

0 Viol en ce Agai n st t h e Person Sexu al Assau l t Cam d en West m i n st er Rob b ery B u rgl ary i n a Dwel l i n g

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PREEMPTIVE STRIKE.

In deciding whether a defendant exerted reasonable force in defending himself: It must be judged on the basis of what, reasonably or unreasonably, he believed to be the facts, and not on the basis of what the facts actually were. If you believe, that someone is going to attack you, you can hit them first, without waiting to see if they actually are going to attack.
Once you are no longer in danger of being attacked, or the attack has stopped, then you are no longer justified in using force against any person. Every moment in an attack will be judged separately. If, for instance, someone startles you and you flinch, pushing your hands out in front of you, and inadvertently inflict harm to that person, you cannot be guilty of assault, as you had no control over your action. You did not form the intent to commit the offence, and had no knowledge that your body, at that moment would or could cause such an injury.

WHEN SELF DEFENCE BECOMES ATTACK

REACTION VS RESPONSE

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Home Security

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Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries they dont even have to use force they get in through an open door or window.

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MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE BURGLAR

Look at your home through the burglars eyes are there places where
they could break in unseen?

Have you fitted strong locks on your doors and windows? Would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?

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Windows

A third of burglars get in through a back window. Easily visible locks May deter some thieves, because a window lock forces the thief to break the glass and risk attracting attention.

Fit key-operated window locks to all downstairs windows, those which cant be
seen from the street and easily accessible upstairs window, e.g.. Those above a flat roof or by a drainpipe.

Even small windows such as skylights or bathroom fanlights need locks a

thief can get through any gap larger than a human head.

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Doors
SECURE ALL DOORS
If your front and back doors are not secure, neither is your home.

Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition. Doors
should be made of solid core construction 44mm thick.

Glass panels on or around the door are especially vulnerable, so replace them
with laminated glass.

Fit back and front doors with a five-lever mortice deadlock and use it. Fit all exterior doors top and bottom with bolts. Remember to fit all security
devices with strong screws or bolts. Get specialist advice on fitting locks to patio doors.

Fit both French doors, top and bottom, with a security mortice lock and
mortice bolt.
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Security Accessories
Mortice Lock

Additional security to the door

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Striking Plate

Adds additional strength to

wooden frames.

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Hinge Bolts

For preventing the door of being

lifted or attacked with a chisel.

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Door Viewer

Enabling you to see every corner in

front of the door.

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Armoured Door Bars

A bolt (bar) is fixed directly into

the wall and protects the door over the entire width of the door against attacks from outside.

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