Name/Title
Sussex Police leather trouser/skirt belt and belt clip c1985 - 2000Entry/Object ID
2466Description
Black leather belt (approx. 28mm wide) with chrome plated buckle, and attached to it via a belt loop is a chrome plated metal sprung clip with traces of black paint on it. No marks.Use
For a police officer to attach to a skirt or trousersContext
Since the demise of braces to secure trousers police officers have been issued with belts. Sussex Police has been issuing a very similar style of belt for nearly 50 years to the present. In the past these were used by male and female officers to attach a handcuff pouch and clips such as the one on this particular belt. These clips were usually issued in pairs to attach a personal radio to the belt, but they were also used by officers to attach car and handcuff keys to. Over time these clips were replaced with nylon radio holders, which in turn were replaced with special clips actually fixed to uniforms and stab vests. The clips were originally painted black but over time this paint worn off. In the 1990s officers began to be issued with other items to be carried on belts, including PR24 baton loops, torch loops, first aid pouches and document pouches.
By the time telescopic batons were issues in 2000, it was realised that more substantial belts were required and Sussex Police began to issue nylon utility belts, to carry equipment. Leather belts have continued to be issued for trousers and skirts and in more recent years uniform cargo trousers.
This particular belt with its curved buckle probably dates to the 1990s. Later types tend to have square shaped buckles.