AIBU to start thinking about self defence in the home and when I am out and about?

If confronted by an attacker I think I’d just freeze. Shock I suppose.

I have had four burglaries in my previous house. My daughter was robbed at knifepoint when we lived here. All I do is close the doors and windows when we go out.

Sixty years ago we were advised to look confident out and about in London, railway stations and the underground were considered the most likely problem.
A friend told me she now carries a whistle in her pocket, not sure if she would be able to use it if someone knocked her over, we are around 80 years old.

Good luck with that. Sorry do what you feel will help but the chances of an older woman overpowering a young man are pretty much zero.

We have security lights outside but as much for our own benefit when walking up the drive or when nipping to the garage for something - 2 freezers are out there.

We have a ring doorbell and never leave the backdoor open if we are not in the kitchen.

I never use my phone when out and about but that's not for security reasons.

I would never try to defend myself though.

It would be a good idea to carry a personal alarm. I think the Police may give advice on such a measure and also speak to you - and perhaps to women's organisations - about precautions you can take.

Years ago, when I lived in London I went on a self defence course run by Hendon police training college. It was very useful, fortunately I’ve never had to use any of it. Some things have stuck in my mind such as walking confidently, staying in lit areas, also some of the defensive moves. I really wouldn’t want to try them out.

We have had 4 break-ins over the years, I have had my handbag stolen and my pocket picked a number of times, but all I do is follow the same basic rules i have followed all my adult life.

Keep to lit streets, do not take short cuts down dark and narrow alleys after it gets dark and just keep a look out for yourself.

At home, I am quite happy to leave doors and windows giving on to the garden open if I am upstairs, but wouldn't leave downstairs doors or windows open, which is entirely academic because we never have the windows downstairs at the front open anyway, as all rooms are dual aspect with windows at the back.

I do not feel, when I am out, that life is any more dangerous now than it always was.

Like BlueBelle i have better things to do than worry about safety. When all is said and done the UK is probably one of the safest countries in the world to be in.

What happened at Southport will live in the annals alongside Hungerford 1987, and Dunblane, 1996, Cumbria, 2010, Southport 2024. Horrrific incidents happening at random places and unforseable, but rare, very rare.

Casdon

Sago do you mean protect yourself, as GrannyGravy13 has described, or to actually defend yourself should you be attacked? I think not exposing ourselves to any risk is impossible, because attacks are random, but I do much as described to protect myself. I also let my son or daughter know if I’m taking the dog out on my own anywhere other than our routine walk.

I am talking about self defence not precautionary measures.

Sago do you mean protect yourself, as GrannyGravy13 has described, or to actually defend yourself should you be attacked? I think not exposing ourselves to any risk is impossible, because attacks are random, but I do much as described to protect myself. I also let my son or daughter know if I’m taking the dog out on my own anywhere other than our routine walk.

I thought you were talking about karate and that sort of self defence, which at 80 I won't be taking up.
It may be a good idea to keep a knife or gun in the house, but would you have the strength or courage to use it?
It must have been truly awful to have a knife held to your throat so my sympathy for your fear.

I should add I m not silly and take all the normal precautions like having the chain on my door at night and not answering the door after dark but I don’t think or expect any trouble when out and about

Others may think about it but I don’t I m quite sure whatever I learnt would not be much use against a strong person so I ll carry on in my ignorance
I ve lived though violence and two break-ins over the years but I m not going to spend my last years worrying about it

I always close all downstairs doors and windows if I go upstairs to shower/change when I am home alone

I am conscious of my surroundings and people around me when out, avoid using my phone when walking down the road.
Always have car doors locked, and when I have the top down ensure my bag is out of reach.

So no you are not alone.