Petition · past parliament
Make non-lethal deterrents such as pepper spray legal to reduce sexual assaults.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Implement legislation to make the controlled use of defensive items such as pepper sprays legal in the UK as it is in many countries to provide both a deterrent and means of defence to lower the UK's tragic rates of sexual assault and rape.
The UK has the highest rate of sexual assault and rape in Europe (source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072770/number-of-rapes-in-europe/)
Pepper sprays are illegal in the UK but legal in many countries with lower rates of sexual assault or rape.
It is entirely common sense that by providing means of protection, will lower cases.
Making pepper sprays illegal is not banning weapons, it's banning defence.
Pepper sprays are illegal in the UK but legal in many countries with lower rates of sexual assault or rape.
It is entirely common sense that by providing means of protection, will lower cases.
Making pepper sprays illegal is not banning weapons, it's banning defence.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 11 Mar 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 17 Mar 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
17 Mar 2021
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.