Handcuffs

If you are looking to buy police handcuffs in the UK then there only very few, limited options available to most police officers, the major manufactures being Asp, TCH, to a limited extend Peerless and formerly Hiatt.

Asp handcuffs are probably the most prevalent  offering a range of chain link and semi rigid cuffs, in steel and aluminium in a variety of colours.  Standard black handcuffs are normally the most popular, but brightly coloured "Identifier Cuffs" in pink or yellow are used in specialist circumstances (or for novelty purposes).  Steel handcuffs are stronger than aluminum but aluminium are lighter and less prone to corrosion (even though it is stainless steel they will suffer in salt water environments over a long enough period).  The choice between chain link or semi rigid normally boils down to training and qualifications.  Whilst semi rigid handcuffs offer the cuffer more control over the cuffee for health and safety reasons semi rigid or rigid cuffing requires and additional level of training over chain link cuffs and if an untrained cuffer, handcuffs a detainee and injures them with rigid cuffs they leave them selves open for potential suing.

Asp also do a range of plasticuffs and training cuffs.

TCH make some of the most popular handcuffs which are the fully rigid cuffs. Unlike the chain of chain link, or the folding hinge of semi rigid cuffs rigid cuffs have a solid, ergonomically shaped plastic or polymer center bar between the two bracelets. This solid center bar can be easily and securely gripped by the cuffer with just one hand and provides maximum control over the detainee.

The original design for the rigid cuffs was developed by Hiatts who retained the intellectual property rights, even when the company ceased producing handcuffs and the IP was taken over by BAE systems who no longer produced the products.

Peerless are less popular handcuffs in the UK, however they are well established in the US where they have been manufacturing cuffs since 1914 and produce a lot of handcuffs for the American Prison system as well as leg irons, waist chains and multi-person transport chains.  Like ASP peerless also do a range of brightly coloured cuffs and restraints.

5.11 Tactical

One of the top brands for tactical kit and equipment is 5.11; they are a very popular brand for security, police, army as well as fishing fanatics and hunters. They offer a wide range of products such as boots, different types of trousers, shirts, jumpers, coats, belts, bags, headgear and many other accessories. Not only is the variety of products huge the quality of all the items are designed to be high and long lasting even in tough environments.

The different types of trousers range between; light weights, the usual tactical and the heavy duty pants. The tdu taclites are designed to be a cool and lightweight material which does not affect the quality; they are still heavy duty rip stop materials which won’t lose their colour either. The stryke pants with the flex tac have the highest durability of their range of trousers and they are extremely breathable due to the design of the material used. 5.11 have also incorporated their poly/cotton ripstop material into these trousers with a flexible non spandex fabric to allow the trousers to be hard wearing, soil and stain as well as fade resistant. These trousers are the ultimate quality for people who need kit that lasts under hard-hitting environments which could tear and stain other brands of pants.

The 5.11 Equipment range is also extensive and they have a large market base in selling tactical and police bags that are used in many different roles. Most famously they have created bags of different shapes and sizes made out of resilient fabric for multiple uses. They have the rush bags which are backpacks covered in molle so that many items and pouches can be attached. 5.11 also do kit bags which include many compartments and heavy duty straps.

Coats and jackets are also a top product for the company as they have developed superiority materials which are weatherproof and waterproof. Their sabre jacket is one of the most stylish and durable jackets they do and rises above most of the other brands in this market.

People trust 5.11 quality because of the reputation they have built over the years of developing tactical kit, it is hard to beat and if you want clothing, bags or even tactical torches that are durable, long lasting and dependable; then 5.11 is the one to buy.