Personal security during a break-in (1 Viewer)

[Lucky]

As expected there's a lot of discussion on our Motorhome Security forum about alarm systems and deadbolts to defend against break ins. However, I'm interested in how people would react if a ne'er do good (a rogue) actually broke in whilst you were inside.

I'm probably kidding myself although perhaps I might grab something heavy, but would I really strike out at someone as they rifle through my belongings looking for valuables. Probably not.

I'm coming around to thinking a peppar spray might be the thing to persuade a visitor to leave, and do so without risking getting myself a criminal record for assault. Does anyone know if it can be used safely in a closed environment such as a motorhome, I.e. without causing a burning sensation, pain and temporary blindness to myself?

If so I need better ideas !

 

[Just smiffy]

Think I’ll keep on this one..

 

[Ernesto]

If someone is willing to break in, whilst they know you're in there, show their face to you and isn't frightened away....I dont think pepper spraying them would be wise, even of you did get close enough...they're liable to do you serious harm - after all, what have they got to lose?

Relax- odds are insignificant that this will happen

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[Hollyberry]

You can buy pepper sprays in France. I bought a couple ( thought they might be useful travelling alone in a motorhome)
However, I tried it out in my bedroom when I was being targeted by a very angry hornet. My bedroom was 15 feet x 15 with 9 foot high ceilings so bigger than a motorhome. I was coughing and spluttering for about an hour, had to strip my bed and wash all the bedding and that didn’t wash it out of the pillowcases. So possibly not the best thing in a motorhome. I’ve been told the cheapest perfumed body spray, directed into an attackers face , is just as effective. Hair spray would also be pretty nasty. I’d also go for a good old fashioned rape alarm. Pull the pin and it’s deafening.
But preventing someone getting in is the best thing.

 

[DavidG58]

I doubt many would stay for a fight, they would be off faster than you got out of bed

unless of course you have blinded them, then they are going nowhere

 

[TheBig1]

me personally, I would be busy trying to get the dogs to release the intruder, it would not be a pretty sight, with plenty of DNA evidence of who broke in

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[Googlebot]

I have an old big maglite torch deliberately next to my bed. It is a torch but is as big as a rounders bat. With my wife and kids in there, if I wake up and see someone, they are having it till they are out or no longer pose a threat inside.

That would be if they stayed long enough to see my naked bulk flying at them whilst roaring with rage.

Oh and if the 25KG Belgian Shepard let them in in the first place. Quite likely as she is as thick as mince and loves people!

 

[TheBig1]

If I got there before the dogs, all rules are out, go for the soft spots. Eyes, bollox, throat and then the solar plexus. They would not be running off anywhere

 

[Marmite]

If I remember correctly, pepper spray isn't legal in the UK so you might be prosecuted for possesion and assault if used here

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[MattR]

As expected there's a lot of discussion on our Motorhome Security forum about alarm systems and deadbolts to defend against break ins. However, I'm interested in how people would react if a ne'er do good (a rogue) actually broke in whilst you were inside.

I'm probably kidding myself although perhaps I might grab something heavy, but would I really strike out at someone as they rifle through my belongings looking for valuables. Probably not.

I'm coming around to thinking a peppar spray might be the thing to persuade a visitor to leave, and do so without risking getting myself a criminal record for assault. Does anyone know if it can be used safely in a closed environment such as a motorhome, I.e. without causing a burning sensation, pain and temporary blindness to myself?

If so I need better ideas !

Where do you plan to take the pepper spray? It is illegal in many countries, the UK included.

 

[gus-lopez]

to thinking a peppar spray might be the thing to persuade a visitor to leave, and do so without risking getting myself a criminal record for assault.

But not in the Uk .It is classed as the same as carrying a gun ,so you might as well .
Even I wouldn't use pepper spray in an enclosed vehicle preferring a fire extinguisher, fly spray or my favourite spanish floor cleaner.

It is illegal in many countries, the UK included.

but not spain ,France or Germany.

 

[Lucky]

I’ve been told the cheapest perfumed body spray, directed into an attackers face , is just as effective. .

That'll be the Lynx effect presumably...

Apart from that, get a mean dog, but I'm unsure how my existing two free loaders would take to having another dog in the family.

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[John Barrett]

Deleted!

 

[Lucky]

I'm getting the message that peppar spray is not the way forward.

Is there a consensus on how to get a stubborn burglar to leave if I haven't got a guard dog available?

Rape alarm, nudity, a bloody big torch, hairspray and violence seem front runners so far.

 

[John Barrett]

Unless an intruder thinks that you have something really worth going after then it is likely that they will scarper if detected and confronted!
John

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[Googlebot]

Fire extinguisher every time. Legal, powerful, makes a good club when empty.

 

[Gromett]

The simple fact is unless you are extremely well trained and practice that training regularly any weapon you keep to hand is more likely to be used by them on you rather than visa versa.

Thieves tends to be cowards, a loud scream is likely to send them running. The other option is to remain silent, pretend to be asleep and let them get what they came for without hurting you.

To be honest. In 11 years of fulltiming I have stopped worrying about it.

 

[Two on Tour]

I have a nice long and heavy Maglite torch in the door pocket which is only to light up the intruder of course and also two FirePal fire extinguishers to hand that can be set off at the intruded if needed.

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[Richard n Ann]

I've got a heavy extendable tyre lever, it would really brain somebody if used in anger

 

[TheBig1]

I'm getting the message that peppar spray is not the way forward.

Is there a consensus on how to get a stubborn burglar to leave if I haven't got a guard dog available?

Rape alarm, nudity, a bloody big torch, hairspray and violence seem front runners so far.

drag them out by their feet whilst they are unconscious is the easiest way. Lifting an average 75kg man as a dead weight is not as easy as it appears on tv

Try to avoid the use of weapons unless the intruder threatens you with one. If the police get involved there will be less hassle

 

[Larrynwin]

I have two rape alarms but never had to use them

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[John.]

Would a cattle prod be of any use

 

[John Barrett]

I have two rape alarms but never had to use them

You will need 'grape' alarms as there might be a bunch of them!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

As well as making your van as secure as you are happy with to be asleep in overnight, I would more importantly be seriously questioning the risk of this happening by the type of area I was thinking of staying in
Do you really want to be in such areas where this might happen, or an area that has the potential to lead to such activity?
A remote secluded spot might be the sort of place this could perhaps happen, for example when wilding, but I personally doubt the risks would be such if you were in a more commercial or organised or official place to stay, with others around or near you.
It's only my opinion, but the carrying out of a risk assessment by yourself when you stop is probably one of the best things for your piece of mind.
If it don't look safe or you feel uneasy about an area, move on somewhere else until you are happy.
Don't be in an area where you think this might or could happen, and probably best to be near, but not on top of,other like-minded motorhomers, campers and caravaners.

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[Coolcats]

Surly you would ask if you can help them and if they would like a cup of tea....now that should confuse them long enough for you to take action remember age, wisdom and treachery

 

[John Barrett]

Surly you would ask if you can help them and if they would like a cup of tea....now that should confuse them long enough for you to take action remember age, wisdom and treachery

Does that mean getting your retaliation in first?
John

 

[Ernesto]

The trouble is ...Using a very large torch or tyre iron or anything else heavy and blunt, on a totally unarmed intruder, could land you In deep water.
Before anyone smashes in the skull of an intruder, just be sure that’s what he’s planning for you - I know it’s impossible to know but sadly, that’s the law for you these days

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[glenn2926]

If someone breaks into my van I’m going to ask for shares in anything they find that’s valuable cos I haven’t found anything yet.

 

[steve 6644]

I think a balaclava at the ready, then tell them to f%kk off, you got here first.

 

[joka250]

I would assume any thief prepared to hang around I likely to be better armed than you. Discretion is the better part of valour

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