Trojan Security Solutions Limited

There has been much debate over the years as to whether security operatives should use handcuffs or the new plastic restraints that are now available when effecting lawful arrests of violent people.

There is nothing in the law that says that security operatives can use handcuffs for restraining people, but nothing that says they cannot. Provided that they are only used when effecting a lawful arrest, and only on violent detainees, when they are absolutely necessary, to prevent escape or injury, then it is perfectly legal to use them.

The use of handcuffs is obviously a ‘use of force’, and therefore must be properly justified. Justification is achieved through establishing not only the legal right to use such equipment (ie when effecting a lawful arrest), but also through good objective grounds for so doing, in order to show that what was done was reasonable and necessary in the circumstances. The use of restraints by security personnel may well have to be justified to the police, the courts and possibly in civil actions.