UK Police force deploys new tyre-deflator

ERJ staff report (DS)

Yorkshire, UK -- South Yorkshire Police has invested in 330 new 'StopStick' tyre deflation devices. These devices replace the previous 'Stinger' tool and have been installed in every marked operational vehicle. Between October 2010 and February 2011 every frontline police officer in South Yorkshire has been trained to deploy the StopStick device which is designed to deflate a vehicle's tyres in a safe and controlled way.

The StopStick device, produced by MLA Ltd. has been designed in such a way that when its quill-style spikes penetrate the vehicle's tyres and the wheels rotate it pulls off the tip of the spikes leaving several valves within each tyre. Safely deflating a car's tyres in 30 seconds.

Inspector Craig Clifton, of South Yorkshire Police's Road Policing Group explained the reason for investing in StopSticks: “It came down to safety. Because StopStick is so safe to handle it will allow us to train a lot more people rather than just a select few and therefore a lot more cars can carry them, which can only be a good thing.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from Yorkshire Police

Website of Stopstick from MLA