People meeting matches from dating apps sometimes consider carrying something for protection. The legal position is stricter than many expect, and the wrong product can lead to arrest. This article sets out what police guidance and the Firearms Act 1968 say, and how a personal alarm fits alongside the other steps recommended by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. The Firearms Act provision discussed applies to England, Wales and Scotland, as shown on legislation.gov.uk, and Northern Ireland has separate firearms legislation not covered here.
What police guidance says is legal
A police “ask the police” FAQ answers the question of which self-defence products can legally be bought. It says the only fully legal product at present is a rape alarm, that these are inexpensive and can be bought from most local police stations or supermarkets. For other products that claim to be legal, such as non-toxic sprays, the police say they cannot confirm legality or endorse them until a test case is heard in court. They warn that anyone found with such a product could be arrested and detained until the product, its contents and legality can be verified.
The same FAQ sets out further points:
- a product made or adapted to cause a person injury must not be obtained, and possessing one in public, and in private in specific circumstances, is against the law;
- some products squirt a relatively safe, brightly coloured dye rather than a pepper spray, and a properly designed one used as intended should not cause injury, though if an injury does occur it may amount to assault;
- products bought from abroad have a greater chance of being illegal.
The FAQ says its advice is given in good faith and that each person must make their own decision, so it is a guide and not legal advice.
The law behind the warning
Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968, which covers England, Wales and Scotland, makes it an offence to possess, purchase or acquire without authority the weapons listed in the section. Subsection (1)(b) lists any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing. The Home Office’s guide to firearms licensing law says this section includes personal protection sprays using CS, Mace or OC pepper, and that the courts have held stun guns to be prohibited weapons under it. Anyone wishing to possess such weapons must have the Secretary of State’s authority. The legislation.gov.uk page for section 5 states it is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 September 2026, though changes may be brought in later. Anyone unsure about a specific product should not carry it.
What an alarm does, and does not do
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust suggests considering a personal safety alarm and describes its purpose as shocking and distracting an attacker to give vital seconds to get away. It lists carrying an alarm among the steps to consider when planning to go out, alongside planning how to get home, updating someone on plans and planning a route. The Trust’s disclaimer says that its advice does not suggest such actions will eliminate incidents of aggression and violence. It is meant to help people assess and reduce risks, or alert others when they feel unsafe.
Police night-out advice reinforces the same idea in a different form: if attacked, it is often better to shout “fire” rather than “help”, because it tends to attract more attention. An alarm serves a similar function by drawing attention, which is a reason to keep it accessible rather than at the bottom of a bag.
Fitting an alarm into a date plan
An alarm is one layer among several, and the more effective layers come earlier in the process. The Trust’s advice for meeting in person includes:
- telling someone where you are going and who you are meeting, and checking in before, during and after;
- agreeing that a friend will call the venue or go there if you do not check in;
- taking a charged phone with credit;
- taking money for a taxi home or planning a public transport route, and keeping the number of a local licensed minicab firm.
Police advice adds that in a busy place a mobile phone is best used only in an emergency, since using it is distracting and advertises that the person has a phone. It also says that if someone tries to take something, it may be better to let them than risk injury in a confrontation.
Frequently asked questions
Is pepper spray legal to carry for self-defence?
Police guidance says products made or adapted to cause injury cannot be lawfully possessed, and the Home Office’s firearms guide says section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 includes personal protection sprays using CS, Mace or OC pepper. A personal alarm is the product the police describe as fully legal.
What about a dye spray?
The police say a properly designed dye product should not cause injury when used as intended, but they cannot confirm the legality of such products until a court decides a test case, and there is a risk of being detained while checks are made.
Can I order a product from overseas?
The police say products bought from abroad have a greater chance of being illegal.
The bottom line
Police guidance names a personal alarm as the only fully legal self-defence product, warns against anything made or adapted to injure and cautions that other so-called legal products carry a risk of arrest. Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 is the provision the Home Office guide applies to pepper and similar sprays in England, Wales and Scotland. An alarm works best as part of a wider plan that includes telling a friend, checking in, carrying a charged phone and planning the way home.
Sources
- Ask the Police, “Q589: Are there any legal self-defence products that I can buy?” (including related question Q14 on personal safety during a night out)
- legislation.gov.uk, “Firearms Act 1968, section 5: Weapons subject to general prohibition”
- Home Office, “Guide on firearms licensing law”
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust, “Personal safety out and about”
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust, “Safety Online”