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AIBU?

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Original poster

Getting out of handcuffs?

258 replies

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 14:34

This is such a bizarre thing to write about but hear me out!

Had a weird situation with the police last night. Won't fully go into it but they mistakenly thought there was a criminal in my house and I was arrested then unarrested when they realised their mistake. I was put into handcuffs. I have hypermobility. And I think due to this I could get out of the cuffs pretty easily. Has anyone else experienced this?

I was so suprised at how easy they are to get out of. Do they have any kind of back up if they really need to keep someone secure? Just keep thinking about it! 😄

OP posts:
EdithBond · 01/01/2026 15:57

gallivantsaregood · 01/01/2026 15:35

I would be inclined to think that they were not, in fact real police. I would absolutely contact 101, explain what happened and ask them to confirm it was a geniune police call. There are too many things which don't add up.

Could be a prank, could have been scoping ahead of a burglary, or any number of other not very honest reasons.

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100%. I’d check.

Also, if they went to the wrong address and then arrested and cuffed you in front of your terrified kids when there was no other adult there to comfort them, they owe you an apology, e.g. for wrongful arrest.

moto748e · 01/01/2026 15:56

Maybe the moral is that handcuffs, like so many things, come in men's size only? 😛

YourLoyalPlumOP · 01/01/2026 15:54

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:13

I was initially reluctant for them to come in. They knocked at the door and said a disturbance had been reported at our house. I assumed they had the wrong house and assured them we were fine. They said a woman had been heard screaming and they needed to check everyone was ok. I said the kids can come to the door so you can see they are ok but we are just about to celebrate new year so I didn't want them coming in. They insisted on coming in. Then were going round the house searching and opened my loft hatch and shouted into it I know you are in there [male name]. So I then realised they were looking for someone not checking we were ok and they thought I was hiding this person maybe? I don't know. Then they found out they were in the wrong place and promptly unarrested me! I don't even know what I was arrested for! 😕

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The have to clearly tell you what you’re arrested for though……

Naws · 01/01/2026 15:53

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 01/01/2026 15:13

erm, what offence is that?

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Attempting to escape lawful detention.

Hollabackgurl · 01/01/2026 15:53

It sounds like you were arrested for harbouring a criminal.

I have had recent dealings with the police, I find them to be utterly incompetent.

Boomer55 · 01/01/2026 15:52

Odd problem, which I thought was about sex. 😳

If handcuffs are needed, the police use them. But, it seems they sorted it out pretty quickly. 🤷‍♀️

Chefpig · 01/01/2026 15:50

Dollymylove · 01/01/2026 15:05

Who was the criminal ans why did the po-po think they were in your house?

You should be arrested for calling them the po-po.

FabulousWealthyTart · 01/01/2026 15:50

Were you at a hen night😉

BuckChuckets · 01/01/2026 15:49

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:25

I don't know! I know that sounds ridiculous but I don't. It was all so stressful and upsetting it's all a bitter of a blur.

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They didn't arrest you then, surely? They tell you what you're being arrested for.

CremeCarmel · 01/01/2026 15:49

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 14:49

I know, I've latched on to this weird thing I think because I'm so upset and angry about it. They knocked on my door at 2 minutes to midnight. Obviously ruined our evening.

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So, you weren't the only one in the house but they only arrested you? Why? Do you resemble some mugshot or something?

YourLoyalPlumOP · 01/01/2026 15:46

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 14:34

This is such a bizarre thing to write about but hear me out!

Had a weird situation with the police last night. Won't fully go into it but they mistakenly thought there was a criminal in my house and I was arrested then unarrested when they realised their mistake. I was put into handcuffs. I have hypermobility. And I think due to this I could get out of the cuffs pretty easily. Has anyone else experienced this?

I was so suprised at how easy they are to get out of. Do they have any kind of back up if they really need to keep someone secure? Just keep thinking about it! 😄

I have to help train the police sometimes and because of that we do lots of role plays where I have to scream in their face or act like I’m a real danger because I’m out of my head on drugs and running towards them with a weapon. So I get put into handcuffs quite often.

I can’t believe how bloody uncomfortable they are! In fact I have to calm myself otherwise I feel really panicked.

DameSylvieKrin · 01/01/2026 15:39

When I was a teenager and had a summer job, a policeman called in at the shop to introduce himself as he was newly covering the village. My supervisor (mother of one of my classmates) asked him to show her how his handcuffs worked. He put them on himself obligingly, both wrists, and then couldn't get out of them or explain to us how to let him out. He had to call for backup from the next town to release him (the officer who did so was crying with laughter, as you can imagine).
So I've always assumed they are quite difficult to get off.

Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:37

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 01/01/2026 15:32

So they never said @FrostedWoods you are under arrest for…… you have the right to…
is that sounding right @NeedForSpeedyGonzales ?

They did, but I honestly can't remember what was said. I was in shock!

OP posts:
Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:36

mondaytosunday · 01/01/2026 15:30

Looking at all those traffic arrest videos from the US and yes people seem to be able to get out of them pretty easily, even when behind their backs.

I'll have to have a look!

OP posts:
Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:35

Serencwtch · 01/01/2026 15:24

Yes. They start with minimum use of restraint. If you had started struggling then they would up that.
You would have been cuffed with your hands in front of top of each other. If you were a higher risk or known to be violent or had attempted to escape before you would have been cuffed behind your back (which is a lot more uncomfortable)
If you became a risk the cuffs can go tighter. If you struggled further or made them think you were going to attempt to escape then they would take you down to the floor & restrain you in both hand cuffs & leg restraints.
Best to co - operate or FAFO as they say

Thanks for the explanation! Luckily it went no further than front cuffed! But I can rest assured they are able to restrain actual criminals. What does FAFO mean? I would have cooperated more if they had been a bit more reasonable, polite and calm.

OP posts:
gallivantsaregood · 01/01/2026 15:35

FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:21

Oh don't start another anxiety! 😂 God knows who they were or what was going on! 😂

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I would be inclined to think that they were not, in fact real police. I would absolutely contact 101, explain what happened and ask them to confirm it was a geniune police call. There are too many things which don't add up.

Could be a prank, could have been scoping ahead of a burglary, or any number of other not very honest reasons.

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 01/01/2026 15:32

So they never said @FrostedWoods you are under arrest for…… you have the right to…
is that sounding right @NeedForSpeedyGonzales ?

Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:31

LorenzoCalzone · 01/01/2026 15:19

Well you can tick "learn a new skill" off your list of resolutions OP!

That must have been very unsettling. I hope you're all OK.

Maybe it's another case of things being tested from a man's pov - I think car safety features are all designed around a man's frame. Could explain it.

Haha - yes! How to escape handcuffs ✔️
It was. We're ok, tried to have a laugh with the kids about it.

Yes, another good point. I may have had an advantage being a woman!

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 01/01/2026 15:30

Looking at all those traffic arrest videos from the US and yes people seem to be able to get out of them pretty easily, even when behind their backs.

Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:28

FastFood · 01/01/2026 15:17

I got handcuffed when I was a teenager, I don't have hypermobility but I got out of the cuffs in seconds. I kept them on to be polite.
It wasn't in the UK, and it was years ago, I'm sure they have better ones now.

I had to just stand there in the end with them on knowing ai could get out of them at any time - it was so weird. I just wanted to get to my k7ds but they wouldn't let me!

OP posts:
Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:25

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 01/01/2026 15:14

When you say you were arrested, then de-arrested, what was it for?

I don't know! I know that sounds ridiculous but I don't. It was all so stressful and upsetting it's all a bitter of a blur.

OP posts:
Serencwtch · 01/01/2026 15:24

Yes. They start with minimum use of restraint. If you had started struggling then they would up that.
You would have been cuffed with your hands in front of top of each other. If you were a higher risk or known to be violent or had attempted to escape before you would have been cuffed behind your back (which is a lot more uncomfortable)
If you became a risk the cuffs can go tighter. If you struggled further or made them think you were going to attempt to escape then they would take you down to the floor & restrain you in both hand cuffs & leg restraints.
Best to co - operate or FAFO as they say

Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:22

Ilikesundays · 01/01/2026 15:12

Are you sure they were police officers, not somebody having a prank on NYE?

I did think maybe the police were just bored! 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:21

HavingABlether · 01/01/2026 15:11

Are you sure they were real police? 😂

Oh don't start another anxiety! 😂 God knows who they were or what was going on! 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
FrostedWoods · 01/01/2026 15:19

RabbitsEatPancakes · 01/01/2026 15:09

I'm hypermobile and can escape handcuffs quite easily, having previously messed around with police at fetes etc.

However I think if they felt you were a dangerous actual risk they do them much tighter.

Ah, I see! They obviously were going easy on me and not doing them properly tight.

OP posts: