Self defence has never been so vital

Recent crime statistics have shown that Bedfordshire has the highest recorded rate of violence against a person in the East of England area despite the amount reducing by seven per cent from 2005/2006.

Now a Biggleswade author and self defence expert is trying to teach women the basics about how to defend themselves against attack.

Our reporter SIMON HUTCHINSON spoke to Frank Nezhadpournia to get his tips for reducing the chances of being attacked.

"I teach people how to be prepared for an attack. If you know where and when an attack is likely to take place then you are well on your way to preventing it."

It sounds simple enough but it is information like this that could potentially save your life.

Frank started training 25 years ago as a karate student and then as an instructor, teaching locally and then in sports centres throughout the UK.

About five years ago he approached a number of schools in Bedfordshire with the idea of running karate demonstrations and starting after school defence clubs.

From there he has worked with youth groups, housing associations, women's organisations and young offenders and has run over 500 courses over the last three years.

He has now published his first book about defence techniques for women and has been across the country and Europe running workshops to promote it.

"I did this book particularly for women as they are the people who fear attacks more than anyone," said Frank. "Men have the opinion that they can look after themselves or that they can sort a problem out for their partner, but this isn't the case at all.

"There are times when everyone is at risk of attack and if people can recognise these situations then they can be prevented before they happen.

"The book came about because I was teaching women techniques and they worried about how they were going to remember them all.

"All of the reconstructions that appear in the book are genuine and were described to me by the victims of the attack. Many of the victims have helped me and appear in the book."

Frank is an expert in Shotokan Karate and still teaches in a number of Bedfordshire primary schools but has seen enrolments in his class increase over the past months.

"Since the disappearance of Madeline McCann there have been more kids coming along to the classes. I'm just concerned that it takes such a tragedy before people take action.

"Some parents may think that it's safe around the area where they live but they need to be aware of the bigger picture."

Frank also believes that identifying your attacker can immediately lead to a way to deal with any potential incidents.

"There are four personality traits that belong to attackers; afraid, panic, explosive and emotional.

Once you can figure out their mentality you can react in the best way.

"The afraid attacker is someone who is scared of losing something, being hurt or has already lost something, just like a snake who lashes out when cornered. The best thing to do is back off.

"The panicking attacker is someone who has lost their parameters - they can be emotionally or mentally defeated and to regain control they hit out.

An assertive tone and hand signals can de-escalate situations.

"Explosive attackers have built up aggression like a volcano. You need to show no emotion with this type of attacker.

"Finally the emotional attacker is basically a violent person who makes aggressive threats. A good counter attack is to be vague in the action which you will take as a result of the threat being made.

"For example saying 'be careful, if I get hurt you go to prison and I don't think you'd like that' would be a good way out."

The book covers many different scenarios of likely attacks that women, children or men could face but there is one very important piece of advice.

"If someone attacks you with a knife the first thing to do is run away and this is stressed all the way through the book. Self defence is only ever a last resort.

"If you expect an attack you are less likely to be afraid of it."

Frank Nezhadpournia book 'Defending Against Attack For Women' is available now.

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