Personal Safety

DarrenToogood

DarrenToogood

JAMES CHARLES HARRIES
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Darren Toogood
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Hi guys,

I was just wondering if anyone could advise me on the personal safety us UK photographers can use? I haven't looked into it before, however now I am upgrading lens I feel I may draw more attention to the troublesome.

What would you recommend, if anything to use?

Any help is brill


Thanks
 
Whatever advice you're offered remember a lot of people have been killed for a few quid in their wallet by putting up a fight.

I remember the tragic case of a guy unloading his bags from his car outside Liverpool airport, he'd left the car running while he took them out of the boot, some scumbag jumped in and drove it off, he tried to stop them and got run over and killed.

If someone is threatening you it's against all your instincts but it's better to lose a camera than a life, just make sure it's insured and give it to them
 
A few companies offer bags that are designed not to look like cmaera bags. I have a Tamrac one and nobody really knows what's in it. I'd say staying with a group is a good idea if you're in a less than reputable area.
 
DarrenToogood said:
Is there any sprays which we can legally use?
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No. the law on offensive weapons is very clear - anything carried for the purpose of injuring another, even in self defence, is an offensive weapon. If found in possession of an offensive weapon, for example a pepper spray, you risk a custodial sentence.
 
a baseball bat :-D
just get insurance, that way you get a new camera ;-)
 
As Chris says, get a bag that does not shout expensive gear,
You can get any old bag, some lens cases,and make a slot for the camera with foam .
But at the end of the day,as said camera cost less than you're life or a stay in hospital.

Get to a camera club and go out with them.;)
 
This is a hard one, it is just like saying I have a wallet in my pocket so what do I do??? At the end of the day everyone is going to react different under the circumstances. I have been approached twice to be robbed the first being in Atlanta (USA) by gun point and I drove over him in a 4x4. I reported it once I got back to the hotel and had a visit by the police where they told me "in future make sure you reverse and kill him before leaving" ???

The 2nd was in Birmingham (midlands) where a group of teenagers told me they had a knife to my back while pushing something into me. I told them to stab me then whilst turning around and hitting the youth talking, it wasn't nothing but a mobile phone.

I really don't think anything I was carrying at the time would have helped. At the end of the day if I really did beleive I was going to get hurt then I would just hand over the equipment.
 
Dangermouse(Pete) often worries when I go off into the woods alone with Mollie the jack russell (shes a big soft lump) but if I ever hear anyone going about I pack camera back into bag it looks like a backpack anyway and if I was approached they can have it my lifes more precious than the camera
 
JohnW said:
No. the law on offensive weapons is very clear - anything carried for the purpose of injuring another, even in self defence, is an offensive weapon. If found in possession of an offensive weapon, for example a pepper spray, you risk a custodial sentence.
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Nearly right. Things like pepper spray, CS gas/spray and stun guns are actually classed as Section 1 Firearms, and or prohibited weapons. Serious stuff:nono::nono:
 
Even if you carry something you have to ask yourself can you use it before they use theirs. I have been offered many of guns before whilst living in Atlanta and also been told I was stupid not to carry one. But at the end of the day you have to be prepared to fire it before the other person fires theirs and if not !!! your dead.
 
Car aerial is a useful tool, a foot and a half of whippy steel stings somewhat.

And a flashgun is useful for instant blinding.
 
inaneredstripe said:
put on weight, grow a beard, and look just slightly scary. works for me.
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You are scary :D

I think the biggest tips are the old and best. Stay in public places, keep your camera out of sight when you're not using it, and get down the gym :D Carrying anything to defend yourself these days is a big mistake, because ultimately you'll still get in the **** whether they started it or not. It's best to just stay where you know you're (relatively) safe.
 
BRASH said:
Nearly right. Things like pepper spray, CS gas/spray and stun guns are actually classed as Section 1 Firearms, and or prohibited weapons. Serious stuff:nono::nono:
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Sorry brash but you are nearly right aswell;) they are actually section 5 which is more serious than section 1. Section 5 means that they are in the same classification as machine guns and handguns and not the same as sporting rifles. A far more serious crime.
 
You lot scare me the ammount you know about this stuff....:lol:
 
A good pair of running shoes.
 
I have to say that you should try to look on the bright side and understand that in the UK you are pretty much safe really. I understand that it may not feel like that some times and I know it does happen from time to time, but the chances of getting attacked are pretty slim in real life.
 
Rozzy said:
Me thinks there should be TP hoodies available for sale. after all, everybody knows that a hoody is not to be messed with!
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That could work :lol:
 
Davec223 said:
Sorry brash but you are nearly right aswell;) they are actually section 5 which is more serious than section 1. Section 5 means that they are in the same classification as machine guns and handguns and not the same as sporting rifles. A far more serious crime.
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Aye but I was nearer than you:lol::lol::lol:
 
I was in Glasgow one night in the dark in George Square. A chap asked me if I was not taking a risk carrying a camera at night on my own. I asked him if he had ever seen how much damage I can go to someones face with a tripod :)

Ok I'm only small but it's actually very difficult to assault anyone when you have a broken nose, seeing anything becomes a problem let alone hitting it. And yes I have actually done that :suspect:

The last person who tried to attack me ended up with a badly broken nose.:bat:

At the end of the day you have to weigh up the risks, if you think they are too great then it's time to call the insurance company. It really is not something to gamble with. I knew what I was doing and it was a him or me situation. That's different to a camera. Don't take risks and try not to put yourself in that position in the first place.
 
BRASH said:
Nearly right. Things like pepper spray, CS gas/spray and stun guns are actually classed as Section 1 Firearms, and or prohibited weapons. Serious stuff:nono::nono:
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Anyone over 18 can carry them here :lol: There are also quite a few people with concealed firearms as the licence is pretty easy to get.

If I'm going to pick my gf up from the metro station in the middle of the night when she's been out on a girls night out I always carry my kukri concealed in my jeans. Prague is dead safe though for the most part apart from the odd pickpocket.
 
Col_M said:
Prague is dead safe though for the most part apart from the odd pickpocket.
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You don't want them whipping that kukhri out your pocket too quick :eek:
 
As the title mentions personal safety then I consider my kit secondary to my own life. I carry a knife when I am out togging or running. It is against everything which I stand but I will take my chances being judged by 12 rather than being carried by six.
 
ChrisMClark said:
You don't want them whipping that kukhri out your pocket too quick :eek:
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Nah it's not in my pocket it's hanging inside my jeans and covered by whatever I'm wearing on top :) There's nobody around that time of night and I'm briskly walking, the pickpockets like to get you when you're in a confined envirnment like a tram, metro or escalator :)
 
Col_M said:
Nah it's not in my pocket it's hanging inside my jeans and covered by whatever I'm wearing on top :) There's nobody around that time of night and I'm briskly walking, the pickpockets like to get you when you're in a confined envirnment like a tram, metro or escalator :)
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I'm just saying dude, that comes out a bit quick and you could find yourself singing castrato!

I think you should carry the TP hamster, that little *******'s vicious!
 
Royston Vasey said:
Get a big stick or a baseball bat.
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Let me say it again for those who haven't read the whole thread before chiming in: Don't carry any sort of weapon, even for self defense. It's illegal in itself, and could land you in serious trouble.

Hit 'em in the 'nads with your tripod instead - I'd recommend a Manfrotto 190XPROB, with a suitably angular head attached:bonk:
 
I normally have my normal backpack on, and only whip out the camera bag (a side bag) when I'm taking photos. Normally put the whole lot back into my backpack when I'm done. I've not had any trouble yet though, but I'm mostly shooting in central London.

I wouldn't shoot at night where I live (Dagenham), can almost guarantee unwelcome interest.

Aswell as this, I would probably pack light. 2 Lenses max. No need for more if you plan what you're shooting.
 
JohnW said:
No. the law on offensive weapons is very clear - anything carried for the purpose of injuring another, even in self defence, is an offensive weapon. If found in possession of an offensive weapon, for example a pepper spray, you risk a custodial sentence.
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Walking around with your camera can sometimes be quite daunting, it draws unnessecery attention and after a frightening little event whilst away in France I am alot more aware of the dangers it can bring! I always carry my equipment in regular bags to avoid some attention. In the UK I carry a personal alarm. I believe the person above to be misinformed about the defence sprays, there are products available (Dyejet, StoppaRed and Xmarker) that will both spray an attacker with a permanant dye and give you a chance to get away. I am thinking of investing myself! I would just advise you all to avoid anyone running around with a bright red or blue face! They probably havent been up to much good!

http://www.ukcrimeprevention.org/self-defence-sprays.htm

http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/product/asp/ProdID/2324/CtgID/1006/af/page.htm
 
Davec223 said:
Lol, previous job was as a registered firearms dealer
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South UK? That'll be Weymouth then :p Need a stab vest just going shopping down there lmao.
 
hi there
handing your stuff over allways gives them more confidence for the next time ...and the next time might be your wife or one of your kids.
tripods are good they create space between you and them.
i use a manfrotto magic arm with a ball head and its heavy.
mickytwoknives
 
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