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    1. Culture

    Fifty Shades Of Grey To Blame For Increase In 'Handcuff Incidents'

    London Fire Brigade has blamed the racy novel for an increase in call-outs for 'people being trapped' and has offered some handy advice to readers

    By Rebecca Martin
    Published 30 July 2013 In Features

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    Fifty Shades of Grey movie
    Fifty Shades of Grey movie
    (Image credit: PA)
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    London Fire Brigade has blamed the racy novel for an increase in call-outs for 'people being trapped' and has offered some handy advice to readers

    Fifty Shades Of Grey has been cited as the reason for an increase in incidents, after the London Fire Brigade revealed its latest set of statistics include a huge number of handcuff dramas.

    The fire service is holding the racy novel responsible for a rise in accidents with couples becoming trapped or stuck in uncompromising positions.

    EL James - Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

    EL James - Fifty Shades of Grey Movie
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Third officer Dave Brown reveals that his crew have turned up to 79 incidents in the last three years and as a result they have warned couples to 'always keep the keys handy'. How embarrassing.

    He told the Evening Standard: '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 fifty shades of red by the time our crews arrive to free them.'

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    In the last three years, the London Fire Brigade has attended more than 1,300 incidents involving people being trapped or stuck, often in everyday household items. Each incident costs taxpayers at least £290, meaning they have cost at least £377,000 in total.

    You hear that, ladies? Keep those keys handy.

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    FIFTY SHADES OF GREY MOVIE CAST CONTENDERS

    E L JAMES EXPLAINS WHY SHE CHOSE 'TALENTED' DIRECTOR

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