Naomi Long says no to review of pepper spray ban after 'rise of sexual assaults'

There will be no review of laws banning women from carrying pepper spray for self defence following a "recent rise of sexual assaults", Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.

Both women and men in Northern Ireland are banned from owning, possessing or using pepper spray. The Minister had been asked by the SDLP MLA Cara Hunter if she would "consider reviewing" the legislation "given the recent rise of sexual assaults".

The Minister said there are "currently no plans" to review the laws and urged anyone "concerned about someone's behaviour" to call the police.

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The Co Derry MLA had written to Naomi Long immediately following reports of two knifepoint attacks on women in the Waterside area of Derry.

The first happened in Drumahoe Park at around 10pm on Friday, November 1, when a woman was allegedly punched in the head, pulled into nearby trees and forced to the ground at knifepoint. She fought back, striking her attacker with her torch, and managed to escape.

The following day, at around 3pm in Top of the Hill Park, a woman was approached by a man armed with a kitchen knife, who "grabbed at" the victim before running off when she called out and swung at him with a dog lead. The attacks have prompted concern in Derry and led to increased patrols by the PSNI.

Thousands of people attended a public rally at Guildhall square in the city centre on Friday evening to oppose violence against women in the city.

Ahead of the rally, the PSNI's Area Commander for the Derry City and Strabane policing district - Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney - had promised the use of drones, bikes and increased patrols in the city would continue.

Speaking during a special council meeting, held in the Guildhall just hours before the rally, the senior officer said: ""In response to the very real and palpable fear and concern across the district as a result of those reports, I have put in a series of key, tactical, patrolling priorities across the district.

"They have been ongoing since the weekend and they will continue to be. I am using every range of tactic available to me, including high visibility policing, the use of drones, police bikes, motorbikes and other assets across the district at key times and key areas."

But the prospect of women being legally permitted to carry pepper spray for protection appears to have been ruled out by the Justice Minister.

Responding to Cara Hunter's written query about a possible review of the "legislation in relation to the right to carry pepper spray", Naomi Long said: "Personal safety is very important to me as Justice Minister and the risk of individuals being subject to an attack. However, as in the rest of the UK and Ireland, ownership, possession and use of pepper spray by citizens in Northern Ireland is illegal. This is prohibited under Article 45(1)(f) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. There are currently no plans to review this position."

She continued: "I would encourage anyone to contact the PSNI immediately if they are concerned about someone’s behaviour. Further advice on personal protection can be found on the PSNI website."

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