Sirens called as ‘Fifty Shades’ effect lands many in a bind

The popularity of erotic fiction like the bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey could be to blame for the dozens of incidents of people being trapped in handcuffs firefighters have been called out to over the past three years, a brigade said yesterday.

London Fire Brigade said it had turned out to 79 such incidents — and nine instances of men with rings stuck on their penises — and urged people “always keep the keys handy”.

Third officer Dave Brown, said: “Some of the incidents our firefighters are called out to could be prevented with a little common sense. I don’t know whether it’s the Fifty Shades effect, but the number of incidents involving items like handcuffs seems to have gone up. I’m sure most people will be 50 shades of red by the time our crews arrive to free them.”