Expanding waistlines are coming at a cost to our emergency services. Police have just upgraded their handcuffs to fit larger wrists, at an initial cost of $18,521. There was a per unit cost of $73.79, compared with the previous per unit cost of $57.17. Massey University demographer Prof Paul Spoonley said the changes were just the first signs of adjustments that would be needed. "Either they can't get there, or the services themselves don't provide for them.''

Source: Otago Daily Times January 30, 2017 21:32 UTC