Overhere the only people walking the streets with weapons are the bad guys... I think the oven cleaner was used at 'close quarters' and I believe the police took a very sympathetic view of the incident towards the poor defenceless(?!) little old lady...

Screech alarms are fine and certain gas ones used upside down at close quarters can be quite destructive (or so I've heard!). Bottom line over here; run away or get handy with martial arts...