Dave,

In a slightly different vein: Suppose the victim happens to have an umberella or urban walking stick (cane) in hand and thrashes the attacker a bit with that "legitimate" object. Do you have any indication what action, if any, the government may/has taken to punish the victim for defending himself? I'm very interested in hearing a knowledgeable reply from you or any others in the UK. I am not interested in any sort of debate of whatever the current situation may be.

Before any of my fellow citizens jumps on this - that sort of defensive reflex can be charged as "assault" in most US municipalities. In many municipalities the police will automatically do that and let the lawyers and judges sort the truth out - at your expense and time, of course. That's the sad truth, not an indictment of police (although perhaps it is of some attorneys).

TIA,

Tom