A1: Importance of Vigilance
What does being Vigilant mean?
Staying alert, paying close attention to your surroundings to notice any potential dangers, changes, or unusual activities early. It’s about being aware and ready to respond quickly if something suspicious or risky happens.
What is Reasonable Force?
Reasonable force means using only the amount of physical force that is necessary and appropriate to achieve a legitimate aim—like protecting yourself or others, preventing a crime, or maintaining order—without being excessive or causing unnecessary harm.
Call the Police
Use reasonable force - pushing an intruder away
detaining a person until the police arrive
Attracting Attention - shouting/screaming
Fence
Locks
CCTV/ Ring doorbell
Gates
Signs
What "C" is the most important within self defence?
Communication - Use of Voice
What number do you dial in a UK emergency?
999 ...
How can someone stay Vigilant?
Situational Awareness
Stay Focused/Avoid Distractions
Trust your instincts
Keep updated with training
Keep Mentally/Physically fit
What does JPLANE stand for?
Justified
Proportionate
Legal
Accountable
Necessity/Necessary
Ethical
What is Grossly Disproportionate Force?
Grossly disproportionate force means using way more force than necessary in a situation—so much that it’s clearly unfair, excessive, and not justified.
Name two self-defence techniques
Wrist escapes
Chop down
Blocks
Verbal de-escalation
Distance
Name a Piece of legislation linked to this unit?
Criminal Law Act 1967 – Section 3 “A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.”
Common Law (self-defence)
Crime and Courts Act 2013 - Household defence - If someone unlawfully enters your home, you are allowed to use reasonable force to defend yourself, others, or your property.
How might a Police officer be Vigilant?
Scanning surroundings regularly: Keeping their eyes moving to notice anything out of place, such as unusual behavior, suspicious objects, or gatherings.
Listening carefully: Paying attention to sounds like raised voices, alarms, or breaking glass.
Being aware of body language: Noticing signs of aggression, nervousness, or hiding something.
Using instincts: Trusting gut feelings if something feels off or dangerous.
Avoiding distractions: Minimizing phone use or side conversations while on duty.
Communicating with colleagues: Sharing information about potential risks or suspicious activity.
Checking known trouble spots: Visiting areas with a history of crime or disturbance more frequently.
Staying mentally and physically prepared: Being rested and focused to respond quickly.
True or False: You can keep using force after the threat has stopped.
False - Once the threat is over, using more force is unnecessary and could be seen as excessive or illegal. Force should only be used to stop immediate danger.
True or False - You can set up traps to keep someone out/off your property?
False - In the UK, you cannot legally set traps to keep someone off your property. Setting traps can cause serious injury and is considered unlawful and dangerous.
What is your Peripheral vision?
Peripheral vision is the part of your vision that happens outside the very centre of your gaze — in other words, what you can see “out of the corner of your eye.”
Why is attracting attention important during a conflict management situation?
To get help
Alert others of dangers
Discourage the aggressor
Useful for self-defence account - protect you
De-escalate
How can you stay vigilant in a Hazardous Situation?
Stay Alert
Be Aware
Use your senses
Avoid Distractions
Look for exits
Observe people's behaviours
Report concerns
What is a pre-emptive strike?
A pre-emptive strike is when someone uses force or takes action before an attack or threat actually happens, because they believe it’s necessary to stop or prevent it.
A household object you might legally use in defence
frying pan, lamp, chair — anything available that you reasonably believe helps defend you.
Timing defeats ...
Speed.
Why?
What does "Metsuke" mean?
refers to the method of using the eyes—how and where you look during a confrontation.
Give me an example of Verbal and Non-verbal communication techniques.
Assertive commands - Direct instructions, short, sharp commands. - Verbal
Confident Posture- Non-verbal
Controlled movements- Non-verbal
Body language - Non-verbal
De-escalation phrases. - Verbal
Which of the following is true about using force under a mistaken belief in UK law?
A. You must prove the threat was real
B. You can only defend others, not yourself
C. You can use force if your belief in the threat was honest, even if mistaken
D. Mistaken belief is never allowed as a defence
C. - Yes — the right to use reasonable force in self-defence, including in cases of mistaken belief, is part of UK common law.
Can you chase a burglar down the street?
Yes or No?
Why?
Once the threat has passed, further force may be unreasonable?
Safe side is the ...
Outside - positioning strategy to reduce risk and increase control in potentially dangerous situations.
What does Mens Rea and Actus Reus mean?
Latin
Guilty Mind - It means the intention or knowledge of doing something wrong or criminal.
Guilty Act - It means the actual physical action or conduct that breaks the law.