GMP launches limb restraints in the fight against violence

Date published: 01 January 2010

Greater Manchester Police has another tool in the fight against violence.

As of mid December, the Force introduced more widespread use of limb restraints.

They are made of Velcro and are designed to hold prisoners' ankles and thighs to stop them kicking out at officers.

More than 150 officers are trained in using the limb restraints and more than 300 are set to be trained in using them.

The restraints were of particular use in the run-up to Christmas, a time when officers frequently arrest people who are often drunk and violent.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "Officers find that if a person is becoming violent, they kick out, increasing the potential for serious injury to the officer, the person and the public. Using limb restraints negate that problem.

"The restraints are not going to replace handcuffs and will only be used in extreme situations when other methods, such as talking to the prisoner, have failed.

"They have been used successfully already by GMP and recently limb restraints were used to restrain a suspect who had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"They do not cause harm to people who are restrained by them and are an effective and safe option for police officers to use."