Cable Forum - View Single Post - Why are torches always held underhand by the police?

Theodoric · 21-07-2004, 21:27

First a confession. I have just finished watching The Bill. There, I've admitted it!

In tonight's episode, DS Nixon was seen holding a torch in an underhand fashion, that is with the fist under the horizontally held torch. I'm sure that most TV shows and films show police holding the torch this way. Now, I (and I suspect most people) hold a torch overhand, that is with the fist on top of the horizontal torch. Why is this? The only reason that I can think of is that it prevents the police from automatically using the torch as a bludgeon and perhaps harming someone.

21-07-2004, 21:27	#1
Theodoric Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,974	Why are torches always held underhand by the police? First a confession. I have just finished watching The Bill. There, I've admitted it! In tonight's episode, DS Nixon was seen holding a torch in an underhand fashion, that is with the fist under the horizontally held torch. I'm sure that most TV shows and films show police holding the torch this way. Now, I (and I suspect most people) hold a torch overhand, that is with the fist on top of the horizontal torch. Why is this? The only reason that I can think of is that it prevents the police from automatically using the torch as a bludgeon and perhaps harming someone.