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Your Policing Questions Answered

The official police resource for England and Wales

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Have you any advice about personal safety during a night out?

Listed below are some steps that can be taken to ensure your personal safety: Never leave your bag or coat unattended in a pub or nightclub, it is an ideal place for thieves. Never leave your drink unattended, as it is very easy for someone t...

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Highlights

I have seen CS spray for sale, is it legal?

No, CS spray is not legal. It is a prohibited firearm and if you are found in possession of it, it could lead to a minimum prison sentence of six months and a maximum one of ten years and/or a fine....

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What is CS spray made up of and when do the police use it?

CS (named after the initials of the inventors Corson and Staughton) combines the compound (o-chlorobenzylidine malononitrile) a white crystalline substance which is dissolved in the inert solvent MiBK (methyl iso-butyl ketone) and held by this sub......

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I have been sprayed by CS gas, does it have any long-term effects?

The effects of CS spray can include discomfort to the eyes, a burning sensation, coughing, tightness in the chest and it may also cause your skin to go red and feel hot. Most people recover within 15-30 minutes after a brief exposure. If you are e......

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