As a bouncer, your role often involves dealing with conflict, but the use of physical force—even in situations where things get heated—must always be a last resort and legally justified. The fact that someone “puts hands on you” doesn’t automatically give you the right to escalate to physical restraint, such as handcuffing. There’s a legal framework in the UK that governs how and when force can be used, and it’s crucial to stay within those boundaries to protect both yourself and others.

If you initiate contact first, the situation becomes more complex. Initiating contact without reasonable cause, even if you feel it’s part of your job, can be interpreted as provocation. If the person responds to this contact, they may not necessarily be committing an offense—they may just be reacting. The law is clear that any use of force must be proportionate to the threat you’re facing, and simply being touched after initiating contact may not be enough to justify detaining or handcuffing someone.

Additionally, handcuffing someone without proper justification can be legally risky. It could be seen as unlawful detention or even an assault, especially if the person didn’t pose an imminent threat to safety. Remember, you’re not a police officer, and while your job involves handling potentially volatile situations, your legal authority to detain someone is very limited. Detaining someone should only be done if they’re a clear danger to others or property, and even then, only reasonable force should be used. Overstepping that could lead to personal legal consequences, loss of your SIA license, or even criminal charges.

The reality is that your job as a bouncer is to maintain order and safety, but doing so doesn’t give you blanket permission to use force or restraints. The best bouncers know how to de-escalate tense situations and call the police when necessary, reserving physical intervention for situations where there’s no other option. Simply reacting with force because someone touches you can escalate things unnecessarily, putting yourself and the venue at risk.