City Clergy in Scotland Offered Self-defense classes

Today's Guardian notes that Scottish clergy are being offered self-defense classes to protect themselves against violent attacks.

Unite, the union which represents more than 2,500 clergymen throughout the UK, is to organise the lessons in self-defence and risk avoidance. It is estimated that 70 per cent of clergymen, many of whom work in inner cities, have experienced violence during work and they are more likely to become victims than doctors, social workers or any member of the emergency services. 'It is a profession where there are always risks,' said Rachel Maskell of Unite.