With the current riots in England being featured nightly on the news, flash mobs are quickly becoming a real safety concern. It is even becoming an issue here with attacks at the Wisconsin State Fair last week, among other criminal acts committed by large groups of people.

The first concern with riots is that they can happen anywhere and anytime, but primarily happen in areas where people congregate in large groups. The biggest concern, however, is how to protect yourself and your family if you happen to be caught in one. As with most self-defense scenarios, the best way to survive an aggressive mob is by being aware of the situation and to avoid it by heading the other way. But since these riots can happen quickly, avoidance might be impossible. You should always know the quickest way out of every area and have multiple escape plans to ensure your safety.

But at the same time you should also be prepared to stand up to a crowd as a last resort. If you have to fight find a location with a good backstop so you can only be approached from one direction. This gives you at least some tactical advantage, as you cannot be attacked from behind. At this point you should call the police, provide them with the situation and your location and decide the best way to fight.

It seems as if riots are beginning to occur in places once considered to be safe. The problem is group mentality. It only takes an aggressive few to turn ordinary people into a mob. Since never leaving your home is not an option, having a plan could be your only hope.