BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Sherlock's arrest questions - please help

**Posted by miriel68** February 3, 2013 12:40 pm

Well, I am not at all familiar with the British law regulations and I hope the people who know more than me about it can help me to explain some questions I have about Sherlock's arrest

1. The gun: I do remember that some years ago when Brown's "Da Vinci code" was a big bestseller, there was a discussion about his inaccuracies in portrying English part of the plot. Did I get it right that in Britain the police do not carry guns? But may be it changed in last years and there are new regulations now? Otherwise, how would be Sherlock able to secure a gun from the policewoman standing near to the car?
2. Handcuffs: I believe that I read somewhere that in Britain it is not obligatory to handcuff the person they are arresting, unless he/she is resisting, which is not a case here (even Watson is saying it). Is it true? And yet another detail: in my country the police would handcuff a person in front, not behind his/her back (ok, in American movies it's always behind, so I suppose this is the way they do it, but is it the same practice in Britain)? And is is plausible that they would handcuff Sherlock & Watson together?
3. Is it only my impression, but it seem there is an awful lot of policemen and cars brought into the scene in order to arrest Sherlock. Why are they so many? Surely they are not assuming he is a dangerous criminal at this point?

I mean, these things don't bother me excessively as far as the episode goes: but I am curious and I would like to learn more about British procedural customs. Please indulge me!

Last edited by miriel68 (February 3, 2013 12:42 pm)

**Posted by Davina** February 4, 2013 7:04 pm

Police are not routinely armed in the UK. Police forces rely on specially trained Authorised Firarms Officers (AFO) crewing Armed Response Vehicles to attend emergency calls where firearms might be needed. Specialist Firearms Officers are usually trained to a higher standard than AFO as they are likely to be the ones besieging premises.

**Posted by Davina** February 4, 2013 7:24 pm

Handcuffing by police offers in the UK is usually behind the back unless there are circumstances which dictate that they should be handcuffed in front e.g. obesity, pregnancy, juveniles.

Handcuffs can be used by police officers ( and security guards etc. actually ) BUT their use must be justified or their use is regarded as an assault. There must be 'reasonable, necessary and proportionate use of force'. They are basically only used when there is reason to believe the prisoner will try to escape or that they pose a threat, due to violence, to police officers or the public.

Last edited by Davina (February 4, 2013 7:40 pm)

**Posted by miriel68** February 4, 2013 10:29 pm

Thank you for explanation, Davina . So it seems that Watson was right, protesting. On the other hand, Sherlock not only tried to escape, but DID escape...