LONDON, MAY 9 (AP/UNB) - The British government has refused to allow an American self-defense instructor to enter the country because it fears his teachings may encourage vigilante violence.

Tim Larkin had planned to fly to Britain to hold seminars on self defense. His website says he teaches techniques that can inflict "crippling pain."

He was stopped as he tried to board a plane from Las Vegas to Britain on Tuesday night.

Britain's Home Office said in a statement Wednesday that it had given Larkin an exclusion order to stop him coming to the country. It said it fears the type of self-defense training promoted by Larkin could encourage "excessive violence and vigilante-type behavior."

Larkin came to Britain around three years ago to host similar seminars. He told the BBC the exclusion order is an overreaction.