A demonstrator is cuffed with plasticuffs. Note that this is a special type of plasticuff with two interlocking straps, one for each wrist.

PlastiCuffs (also called FlexiCuffs) are a form of physical restraint for the hands, using plastic straps. They effectively play the same role as handcuffs, except that they are cheaper and easier to carry. The traditional form of PlastiCuffs are cable ties, either two interlocking straps, or a single cable tie around both wrists. More recently, plastics-manufacturing companies have started to produce special plasticuff devices, comprising two interconnected straps as one item. These are generally injection moulded nylon items, selling for a few tens of cents each. A protester is arrested by police in a demonstration. ... A protester is arrested by police in a demonstration. ... Physical restraint refers to the practice of rendering people helpless or keeping them in captivity by means such as handcuffs, shackles, straitjackets, ropes, straps or other forms of physical restraint. ... Rigid handcuffs in holster, as used by UK police A model cuffed with handcuffs, waist chain, and thumbcuffs Police arrest and handcuff a woman on a boat. ... A cable tie ( also strap, rat belt or mouse belt) is a type of fastener, especially for binding several electronic cables together and to organize them into a cable tree. ... Injection moulding (United States Injection Molding) is a manufacturing technique for making parts from plastic material. ... {{dablink|This article covers the material nylon. ...

A police officer is seen carrying plastic cuffs in a demonstration. The protester has been cuffed with a pair of plasticuffs. Note that this is the "cable tie" type of cuffs.

Plasticuffs are more uncomfortable than handcuffs for the person being restrained, especially if they are not applied correctly. More care and training are required for the person applying them in order to avoid making them too tight. With some models, it is possible to apply them so tightly as to restrict blood flow to the hands. Image File history File links Plasticcuff. ... Image File history File links Plasticcuff. ...

The low cost and light weight of PlastiCuffs has made them popular with riot police, for use in demonstrations where they anticipate a large number of arrests. They have the advantage of requiring large cutters to remove (easily detected on a person), compared to regular handcuffs where keys can easily be concealed. This may be one reason for their use in protest situations where a large number of prisoners will be kept in groups, and where they've had time to prepare for inevitable arrests. Riot control are the measures to control a riot or to break up an unwanted demonstration (usually of protestors). ... A demonstration is the public display of the common opinion of a activist group, often economically, political, or socially, by gathering in a crowd, usually at a symbolic place or date, associated with that opinion. ...

Both cable ties and PlastiCuffs are also in regular use by the military, where again their light weight is an advantage. They can be seen in many images of POWs, for example the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse pictures. Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... {{{mWf}}} Caution: This article contains several potentially morbid photographs that depict nude, abused, and deceased persons. ...

The availablility of PlastiCuffs has not made much impact on the BDSM scene, probably due to the discomfort of wearing them, and the possibility for inadvertant tightening, as they cannot be double-locked like handcuffs. A collar is a common symbol of BDSM. BDSM is a term which describes a number of related patterns of human sexual behaviour. ...

PlastiCuffs closeup

Various innovations on the PlastiCuff theme have been developed, including:

• Plasticuffs which can be released using a regular handcuff key
• Extremely lightweight restraints made from nylon cord, using a plastic device to hold the cord tight
• Use of various designs with softer and more flexible straps