488 - Mailbox: On being followed and "carrying a weapon"
A local reader question about UK self defence law
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Local reader question by email:
“If people were following me, and I pick up a stick, does that constitute carrying a weapon?”
Thanks for the question.
Several of my clients recently have been concerned with issues relating to being followed due to them experiencing it locally.
A while back, a female client was followed by two men in a car for a very long distance while running in a remote place (a lot of places are remote here).
More recently, a young guy was followed around town in the middle of the afternoon by two older men getting off on bullying and scaring him, and another young guy who was chased along a lonely stretch of cycle path in Stroud by an older man who he fought off when the creep tried grabbing him.
It’s not a “city” problem as some locals in denial may opine, rather it is far from uncommon and can happen anywhere.
It’s a predatory act to do this for whatever motive and it is pretty stressful, if not terrifying for the individual on the receiving end of it who is trying to get away.
To go back to the question, it’s illegal to carry weapons, even for self-defence in the UK.
This is difficult to comprehend for those in other countries whose laws are (for now) to greater or lesser degrees, somewhat allowing of the ability to own and carry something to preserve you and your loved ones’ lives and wellbeing in the event of violent victimisation.
So even if you carry a walking stick but it can be proved that you do so with the intent of using it as a weapon rather than as an essential walking aid - and they WILL look at this in court - then that’s going to be a potential legal problem for you.
If however, you could prove that you were being victimised or about to experience what you believed to be immediate harm and there happened to be a piece of wood (you asked about a stick) which you could use as a defensive weapon nearby then this may be admissable under self-defence laws here with the caveat that the use of the improvised weapon was reasonable and justified.
For instance, facing several attackers / an armed attacker / a larger attacker, and so on.
Carrying a stick for protection = no
Picking one up under stress = maybe…
Good luck finding an ideal baton-sized and useable piece of wood that enables you to bust out your perfectly practiced “12 angles” showpiece moves on a dark, cycle path in the rain… Just sayin’.
Your training must reflect these legal realities.
For a complete primer on the combative use of improvised blunt weapons for UK self defence, click this link to find my book on Amazon.
Straight-up talk on how to prepare yourself, the book deals with unique UK (or other “non-permissive environments” ) problems and concerns for an average person with minimal or no training.
A DIY home training resource.
13 chapters / 99 pages / includes photos
Table of contents
Introduction – 5
BWT1 – The slow decline and the law - 8
Situational reality and legal basics
BWT2 – Weapon dictates tactics - 15
Understanding improvised weapons
BWT3 – Combative blunt weapon Skills - 27
A complete skillset instructional with
performance notes
BWT4 – Striking skills - 37
Understanding where and how to strike
BWT5 – Striking combinations - 44
How to create your own striking combinations
BWT6 – Combative takedown #1 - 48
Achievable ways to put the threat down
BWT7 – Combative takedown #2 - 52
Includes communication and positioning
BWT8 – Understanding grips - 58
Various ways of delivering force
4BWT9 – Weapon retention - 73
Move and defend against being disarmed
BWT10 – Counters and multiple threats - 78
Staying on your feet and dealing with multiple
attackers
BWT11 – Solo & partner practice skills - 83
Instructions on key ideas for practice
BWT12 – Twelve combat scenarios - 90
Complete instructions and tactics in a broad
range of situations for solo or partner practice.
Includes conditioning ideas.
BWT13 – Partner practice – 98
Notes on partner or small group training and a
drill for simulating ambush shock.