After today's story on Sunrise today regarding the do's and don'ts of Citizens Arrests, we contacted a self defense expert to find out what are the basics of keeping safe in your own home.

A 19 year-old man is in a critical condition after allegedly being caught by a resident breaking into his Sydney home.

The home owner apparently sat on the teenager to perform a citizen’s arrest, with near fatal consequences.

Legally, you should follow the following steps:

• Do use reasonable force
• Don’t take revenge
• Don’t attack first

Acceptable force

So what force is acceptable in defending yourself or protecting others?

A police spokesman tells Sunrise that a citizen's arrests happen more than we think. "In reality, all loss prevention officers do citizens arrests, so dozens [occur] every day.

Almost all shop-stealing offences involve a citizens arrest." "In the cases of normal civilians, it is reasonably rare for a formal arrest, i.e. "I'm arresting you..." but we get a few where a good citizen will tell someone to stay where they are while they call the police, e.g. drunk drivers at car accidents etcetera."

Kevin Marshall is Chief Instructor for the well-named female-focused self defense school Fight Like a Girl.

Kevin doesn't recommend getting involved in a citizen's arrest if you can find a safer way to take action and he uses a military background to teach people to always be on their guard.

1)       How does self defense assist people looking to feel safer in their own home? 

The first and most important thing we teach is; Awareness. coming home typically means 'switching off'. You're home, you start to relax and go into safe mode. Make sure you check  the environment when coming home, and think about what's different from when you left in the morning.

We don't want you to be paranoid, but healthy awareness will let know if something's wrong with enough time to either move away from danger, or to deal with the situation.

(This also applies in the military world where as a commando, I learnt not to relax when coming back to base, as that's a likely time to be ambushed, as you're mentally already thinking about relaxing and resting.)

2)       What is safe for someone to do to apprehend (hold) a criminal in a public place?

 

What is safe? Making sure you're not putting yourself in danger. Think about observing the person who's causing the problem and making sure you can describe him/her to the authorities. Can you take a picture [safely] with a phone camera? Only in the most extreme circumstances would we suggest you engage in a physical confrontation.

You can always move a victim of crime away from a dangerous situation, but don't put yourself into one.

I don't recommend holding anyone unless you are trained in specific holds, locks and the use of improvised weapons. This type of training is taught under professional supervision and is to be used in extreme circumstances only.

3)       What are the best/basic forms of self defense you recommend every person learn?

 

We teach 'it is OK to run away from danger, it is OK to fight when you have no alternative, or if you genuinely believe you are imminent threat, but that it is NEVER OK to freeze.

 

Keep your hands up, to protect your head, and to move safely. Use whatever you have at your disposal. A handbag is a great defensive weapon, as are backpacks and any type of shopping bag. Even though you might be scared, a loud voice will do wonders. 

 

Remember, most attackers are cowards and if you project strength you will be safer. Never think that by defending yourself you are making the situation worse. Studies show that people who fight back are less likely to be hurt, and they recover faster from the physiological effects.

 

These are basic points/techniques that Fight like a Girl has taught to hundreds of people. We've found that everyone can pick up and use these techniques quickly and effectively.

 

4)       Any other comments on how people can avoid getting into trouble?

Listen to your instincts, if it doesn't feel safe, then it probably isn't. Don't let other people make you feel silly if you are concerned. Don't yell 'help', yell 'fire', that way you give people a vested interest in helping you. 

Adoi Bubble, Chief Instructor of Guaridan Defence concurs, saying that avoiding dangerous situations is the safest thing to do.

"If you are with other people, take them with you. If they are in your house and you find an intruder, leave and call the police. Violent situations can escalate quickly. The best defence is to simply not be there."

More info

Fight Like A Girl - self defense school

Guardian Defence