‘No more deaths in the United-Kingdom’
First, this essay will take stock of the crime scene in England and describe in brief the history
of the violence. Then it will review the government’s crime fighting plans and consider
former initiatives that were beneficial to the community. Next, it will move on to criticisms
on the ban of pepper sprays in the United-Kingdom (UK), analysing the consequences of this
decision, and the importance of reform in the battle against crime. It will conclude by making
recommendations to annihilate death in the UK.
In England, 207 women have been deprived of existence in England since March 2020.
Nevertheless, last year, there have been 4,493 male murder victims and 2,075 female victims
(31%) in England and Wales.1 Furthermore, the increase in homicide seen up to date has been
marked in male victims. In March 2020, the number of male victims jumped by 20 per cent,
from 422 to 506, while the number of female victims diminished by 16 per cent, from 225 to
188. Figures show that three-quarters of murder victims are men, and the homicide rate for
men and boys is virtually thrice above the female gender.2
Men are more seemingly to be victims of violence such as assault. Roughly 989,000 men had
been sexually assaulted, counting 87,000 defilement victims or looted rape. 98.5% of the
rapists were pinpointed as men, as well as nine out of 10 killers.3 285 homicides were by
means of a knife or sharp material, the peaked figure since the Home Office Homicide Index
began in 1946.4
The police are still investigating the death of Sabina Nessa, the schoolteacher. Since Sarah
Everard’s murder, eight women have been killed by strangers in Greater Manchester, along
with 80 other British women, still male assassin.5
London Mayor Sadiq Khan characterizing this bloodshed against women as a national rash.6
1BBC, ‘How many violent attacks and sexual assaults on women are there’.
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56365412.amp>, access 24 September 2021, who are the victims
attacked by?
2Lizzie Dearden, ‘England and Wales are men, official figures show’,
<https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/women-murders-men-ons-sarah-everard-b1815779.html?amp>
access 11 March 2021.
3 BBC, (n 1), how common are sexual offences?
4 Grahame Allen, Yago Zayed,‘ Homicide Statistics’, <https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-
briefings/cbp-8224/> 25 May 2021
5 Beth Abbit, ‘Eight women have been killed in Greater Manchester since the Sarah Everard was murdered-
Across the UK, there was many more’, <https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-
news/eight-women-been-killed-greater-21740831.amp>, access 10 October 2021
6Zoe Strozewski, ‘Over 180 women killed by men in England since March 2020, London Mayor says’,
<https://www.newsweek.com/over-180-women-killed-men-england-since-march-2020-london-mayor-says-
1632081. access 23 September 2021
The government is gearing to take on further police officers, besides, it has promised a
£45million fund for free from danger places, providing for ameliorated lighting and setting up
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance, besides, a pilot program to send undercover
police officers to clubs and other nightspots.
The Government’s initiatives should be endorsed. However, I would argue that it is not
adequate, especially as nightclubs and other nightspots are not the places reported as crime
scenes. It appears that people are attacked, near parks, around their home, or at their
domicile.7
In 2002, The Home Office allocated £170 million to fund public area CCTV schemes in
England and Wales. This gave rise to discussion on whether CCTV surveillance reduces
crime and whether legislation was relevant.8 The Metropolitan Police is responsible for
nearly 3000 cameras connected to the outside and outside of their buildings, a large number
of street cameras are held and controlled by local councils and TfL.9
CCTV cameras may be observed live by police in pursuance of their function duties and
commitment.10 For example, in the town of Accrington of 30,000 inhabitants, there are 26
camera CCTV systems handled from the local police station, operators are joined by radio
with police and traders. In this way, operators gain data concerning local delinquent, and
are so capable to recognize them.11
Throughout the first year, there has been a reduction in shoplifting, criminal damage, and
theft of motor vehicles, with minor results of crime dodging to the neighbouring areas, even
though we have no knowledge to what degree CCTVs were at the bottom of these outcomes,
as other delinquency diminution actions had been initiated at the same time.
What the United Kingdom needs is to have cameras directly linked to police stations. Unless
we take decisive steps against violence, persons will endure losing their life.
Only by providing a means to an end, can killing in the UK be eradicated. It is the lack of
defence that makes individuals succumb.
7Meghan Elkin, ‘Homicide in England and Wales: year ending March 2018’,
<https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/homicideinenglandandwales/
yearendingmarch2018/previous/v1>, access 7 February 2019, main point.
8Parliament Office of Science and Technology, ‘CCTV’ , <
https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/post/pn175.pdf>, access April 2002, para 1
9Metropolitan police, ‘Information about CCTV’, <https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/metropolitan-
police/disclosure-2018/december/information-cctv/> , access 2021, 1.
10Ibid, 3.
11Parliament, (n 9), CCTV and Enforcement: Case Studies.
The first point to be made is the ban of ‘pepper spray’ in the United-Kingdom. Its possession,
carry and usage by citizens is banned under Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968.12
However, there are ‘so-called’ self-defence atomizers, named ‘criminal identifier’ sprays, that
are legal in the UK. They, in contrast to pepper spray, do not contain any noxious substances.
But these sprays are entirely conceived to give you just a few seconds to attempt to escape in
a dangerous situation.13
Pepper sprays are soi-disant created to cause harm to others. Pepper spray was originally
brought about for defence against bears, mountain lions, wolves, and other dangerous
predators. It is commonly mentioned as bear spray. They contain a noxious gas that allegedly
would cause harm. Due to this fact, the UK society deemed the pepper spray undisputedly
undesirable in the territory.
Yet, research demonstrated that a pepper spray engenders headache, dizziness and general
discomfort; eyed tearing, burning and involuntary closing eyes, pain and irritation can be
ceasing after 15 minutes of flushing with cool water; mouth saliva secretion acceleration;
problems of breathing ways, causing uncontrolled halt and waterproof chest gagging upper
respiratory system, and cough at most.14
To illustrate, army officers experimented with the spray by gassing their eyes, then trained
under the consequence of it. Pepper spray use is neither deadly nor hazardous.15 The duration
of its effects is subject to the force of the emission; the reaction can keep on from 20 to 90
minutes, on the other hand, irritation and redness of the eyes can run on up to 24 hours.
Is it unsuitable or disproportionate, in a situation in which you can lose your life?
Similarly, pepper sprays are forbidden in many European countries. It is approved in France,
that said, based on the quantity, it can be penalized. In Switzerland and Germany, the tool is
permitted with a license, per contra, the procedure to obtain one can be very fastidious.
What were the origins of this law? There might be general agreement as to why such laws are
required, but in no way could this be described as a success. Another argument in favour of a
reform legalizing pepper spray in the UK is that studies showed that the apparatus, which is
legitimized in the 50 United States’ states, was clearly effective. Numerous authentic
12 Firearms Act 1968 S.5(1)(b).
Parliament UK,
<https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmpublic/OffensiveWeapons/memo/OWB43.htm>, access
July 2018, 5.
13UK Preppers Guide,’ Is Criminal Identifier Spray legal in the UK’,<
https://www.ukpreppersguide.co.uk/legal-criminal-identifier-spray-uk/>, access February 2021.
14 Claire Sissons,’Effect of tear gas on the body’, < https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/effects-of-tear-
gas>, access 31 July 2020.
15 U.S Department of Justice, ‘The effectiveness and safety of pepper spray’,
<https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/195739.pdf>, access NA, lessons and observations.
accounts, where pepper sprays have saved someone’s life or hinder crimes, have furnished
corroboration for this.16
In my opinion, solving the problems of domestic violence is not simply a question of
providing instruments, it also requires a major change in attitudes. Women must be
sensitized. It would be proper and fruitful to inaugurate awareness campaigns for women;
advise them and give them confidence to communicate, to condemn, to denunciate, and to
avoid and to abandon belligerent and vicious companions, and this from the first occurrence.
It is moreover necessary to influence them to means of protection such as, hopefully,
weapons like peppers sprays, or ‘personal safety devices’, also known as rape alarm. Devices
are designed to stop attacks and alert others if you are in danger. They are composed of an
alarm with a power of 130 decibels, the equivalent of a flying jet, and a light of 200 lumens,
capable of disorienting a threat and allowing a few seconds to run away.17 But this solution,
while seeming safer, has the same problem as the criminal identifiers sprays, it only gifts an
assailed with a few seconds to try to survive. This resolution is uncertain, therefore
unreliable, and perilous.
Make a start would induce cognizance and afford an opportunity to educate, and
consequently, bring an end to the tragic and painful loss of life. I believe it is crucial to realize
that everyone, men, and women, must all the time have a means of security with them. We
have to work out on how to ensure that people care for themselves.
There are also many clichés around assaults: it was the victim’s fault, because of a dress style,
a word said before, an action, it is a question of acquaintances, and so on.18 Because of that,
women are reluctant to ask for help, when they are not taken lightly. The police should also
be made sensitive, with a view to alter its approach to crimes.
In conclusion, it is imperative that homicides be banished from the United- Kingdom. On the
basis of these arguments, it would be advisable for the UK to expand the plan on CCTV, thus
aiding the police authorities to persevere in protecting the citizens. The first démarche is to
become mindful. Abolition of the ban on pepper spray should be considered; nobody would
admit being responsible for the deaths in the UK; awareness-raising campaigns for women
must be done, but also for all, to encourage people to go out and protect themselves. An
assassination means the end of a human existence.
16Daniel Brass, ‘ Four times pepper spray saved the day’, < https://www.mace.com/blogs/self-defense-
training/four-times-pepper-spray-saved-the-day> access October 2020.
17Ashley,‘Is pepper spray legal in the UK?’https://empoweredbyashley.com/blogs/news/is-pepper-spray-legal-
in-the-uk, access July 2021.
18 Jessica Eaton, Law reform article Eaton, access March 2019.