Newly billed by the makers as ‘an alternative in some situations to the Taser stun gun,’ the Guardian recently reported on US company Wrap Technologies’ BolaWrap 100 restraint.

Intended to be used at a distance, the device shoots a 2.4m cord at the target, and can reach high speeds of almost 200 metres per second. In terms of kilometres per hour, the Kevlar cord leaves the device at 720 km per hour.

This high-powered device has been described as being particularly effective for dealing with people under the influence of drugs, or those who are experiencing mental health issues.

It is undeniable that the police are routinely faced with challenging circumstances, however, it is troubling to consider that UK police could be relying on a further distance-based device in certain situations.

While the BolaWrap 100 is said to be a way of controlling suspects without pain to the person, it has been criticised by the charity Inquests. Restraint of any kind, as argued in a landmark review of deaths and serious incidents in police custody by Dame Elish Angiolini, has the potential to lead to death.

This risk is not excusable and the restraining device should be carefully considered for all its potential benefits and the dangers presented.

Chris Topping, Head of the Actions Against Police department, discusses the changing array of restraining tools used by the police:

The use of restraints by the Police seems to be developing at a rapid pace.

It is not that long ago since an officer had a baton and a pair of handcuffs. Then the use of limb restraints was introduced but their use was an infrequent event. Then there was a debate about spithoods and we now have Police equipped with PAVA incapacitant spray, Tasers and, on many occasions, carrying firearms. The addition of yet another level of restraint tool seems designed to further depersonalise the contact between a police officer and a suspect.

Whilst it is correct that our Police should be equipped to deal with the circumstances in which they find themselves, one has to wonder if better training in dealing with volatile situations might be a better use of scarce resources. This is particularly the case if the justification for more restraint equipment is to deal with those who are in a mental health crisis.

There is a real danger here of depersonalising the interactions that a police officer has with the public, and then making the use of restraint tools their default option not their last resort.

The police are responsible for ensuring safety in our communities. At Broudie Jackson Canter, we specialise in holding those authorities to account when power is misused or abused.

If you think you have been mistreated by the police in any way, please get in touch with a member of our team by calling us on 0151 227 1429,  messaging us your enquiry or requesting a callback at your convenience.