A lancing device having a housing (10, 12)； a lancet holder movably mounted within said housing, the lancet holder (24) having a forward portion for receiving in use a lancet； and a lancet release element (40, 42) for being moved to allow release of a lancet from said lancet holder. The device includes a trigger arrangement operable to latch and release said lancet holder (24) for movement under the influence of a drive spring (22), said trigger arrangement including a trigger element (16) which, when said lancet holder (24) is latched, is in an armed position ready to fire. When the lancet holder (24) is latched, with the trigger arrangement in its armed position, the trigger arrangement blocks effective movement of said lancet release element (40, 42) to release a lancet.
