united-kingdom england-and-wales self-defense weapons
Is it illegal to carry an improvised pepper spray in the UK?
<p>Civilian possession of pepper spray is banned in the UK, due to its use in self-defence.</p>
<p>There are, of course, many household items that can have a similar purpose. While not nearly as effective, no attacker wants a face full of deodorant or disinfectant spray.</p>
<p>Is there a law against carrying items with an intent to use them in such a way?</p>

<p><strong>Is there a law against carrying items with an intent to use them in such a way?</strong></p>
<p><a href="/questions/tagged/england-and-wales" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;england-and-wales&#39;" rel="tag">england-and-wales</a></p>
<p><strong>Yes</strong></p>
<p>The offence is possession of an offence weapon in a public place contrary s.1 of the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/1-2/14?timeline=false" rel="noreferrer">Prevention of Crime Act 1953</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1) Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie on him, has with him in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable—</p>
<p>(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding £200, or both;</p>
<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years or a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, or both.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>“offensive weapon” means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or <strong>intended</strong> by the person having it with him for such use by him or by some other person.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>There are similar provisions (with subtle differences) in <a href="/questions/tagged/scotland" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;scotland&#39;" rel="tag">scotland</a> and <a href="/questions/tagged/northern-ireland" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;northern-ireland&#39;" rel="tag">northern-ireland</a> at s.47 of the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/39/section/47?timeline=false" rel="noreferrer">Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995</a> and s.93 of the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2011/24/section/93?timeline=false" rel="noreferrer">Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011</a> respectively.</p>
