Counter custody and escape kits

Whether you regularly work in hostile environments or face the increased risk of criminality, there may be a time when you are restrained unlawfully.

Not long ago we published an article about kidnap threat when travelling abroad. We wanted to follow up with an article about counter custody and escape kits and when these are appropriate tools to carry.

The risk of kidnap is not just limited to travelling abroad, it can be a very real threat closer to home. Whether it is your free time or in your job, you should always consider your personal safety. There was a time when stories of kidnappings and ransoms were works of Hollywood. However, nowadays it is very much a stark reality of life. Consider these scenarios; a lone female going out for a run, an NGO working overseas, high value freight driver hijacked, LE/Mil or private security operative in a hostile situation outnumbered and without backup. If you regularly carry restraints as part of your professional role then there may be a situation when these are unlawfully used against you.

In March 2021, before the UK had started to ease Covid19 restrictions, a young lady called Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a police officer. The time of day that she was abducted was not particularly that late, approximately 9.30pm. However, this was during the lock-down period when there were less people on the street. She had been walking a journey no more than a mile. In this instance, her abductor restrained her with handcuffs. Other forms of restraints more commonly used are cord/rope, duct tape or zip ties. Abduction or restraint can also take place in the home, either as part of a kidnapping or during a burglary.

In 2023, Mexico had 463 cases of kidnapping recorded. This was down from 506 cases reported a year earlier. In 2022/23, the police in England and Wales recorded 7,420 kidnapping offences, which is an increase from the previous year.

Europe is one of several regions with rising kidnapping rates, along with Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. However, kidnaps for ransom are relatively rare in Russia and North America. Instead, most kidnapping hotspots are located in regions around the equator, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.

So as you can see, counter custody escape kits can be just as important as IFAKs.

"Two is one, one is none"

With every system there is hardware and software. The hardware in this case are the escape tools and the software is your mental approach and knowledge how to use the tools. Furthermore, alternative tools can be used in place of shims and handcuff keys.

Bobby pins and thin plastic strips can be used as handcuff shims if the handcuffs have not been double locked. However, other forms of restraint such as rope, duct tape and zip ties can be more easily defeated with strategically places items such as kevlar cord which can be used as a friction saw. Kevlar cord is a high tensile cord which can be used as an abrasive tool. These come in forms that can be disguised as necklaces, bootlaces, bracelets or strategically hidden in various locations on your clothing. There are different carry methods for each situation.

Escape kits can be composed of many or few items, but the key thing is to make sure that the items have a purpose. There's no point carrying the kitchen sink. Tailor your escape kits for different environments and remember; two is one, one is none.