A method and an arrangement for defacing and/or destroying items stored in an alarmed value space (30), wherein there is used a piercable or openable container (80) that contains a defacing agent/destructive agent (C). When an alarm is triggered, the defacing agent/destructive agent (C) is distributed in the value space (30) while, at the same time, reducing the combined volume of the container (80) and the value space (30). The arrangement (50) includes a container (80) which contains defacing agent/destructive agent (C) and an element (62, 63) for piercing or opening the container (80) in conjunction with triggering of the alarm. The arrangement (50) also includes a spring activated press element or press plate (71) and an element (75, 76) for causing the press element/press plate (71) and the piercing element or opening element (62, 63) to move in response to triggering of the alarm. The arrangement can be used effectively in all working directions relative to the value space.