StopStick is now available in the UK through Chiltern Global.
Stop Stick has been in service since 1996 and is made by Bonowi Hart Armour, which equips police, military and security organisations worldwide. Today the system is trusted by more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies, with over 500,000 police vehicles carrying it as standard kit.
The deployment record
Stop Stick maintains a register of real-world deployments, and the figures make a strong case on their own. From more than 50,000 registered deployments:
- 8.5% involved vehicles travelling above 160 km/h (100 mph)
- 1% involved vehicles travelling above 200 km/h (124 mph)
- 97% resulted in at least one deflated tyre
- 75% resulted in two or more deflated tyres
Those speeds matter. A device only earns its place in a patrol vehicle if it performs when a pursuit is at its most dangerous, and this is a record built on documented operational use rather than laboratory claims.
How the system works
Every product in the range works on the same principle: hollow, coated steel quills penetrate the tyre and act as valves, releasing air in a controlled way rather than causing a blowout. The vehicle stays in its lane and can be brought to a standstill safely, and the devices leave no dangerous debris on the road after use. The quills are held in a plastic housing that protects officers during handling and deployment.
The range
Stop Stick
The original pursuit-ending device and still the flagship. It has no moving parts, works whichever way it lands on the road, and is ready to deploy in under 10 seconds. At 1.8 kg with a 24-metre deployment cord, it is roughly half the weight of comparable systems, and officers can deploy it from a position of cover well away from the carriageway.
Terminator
Designed for checkpoints, stationary vehicle stops and drink-drive enforcement. The Terminator is 61 cm long and weighs 0.9 kg, with self-righting end caps that ensure the quills always finish pointing upwards. Spent segments slide off and reload in moments, without tools, so the device is ready for immediate re-use.
Patrol Terminator and Patrol Terminator XS
A compact 45 cm, 0.6 kg version of the Terminator that stays within arm's reach on patrol, with a mounting clip for in-vehicle storage. It has recently been joined by the Patrol Terminator XS, the newest and smallest addition to the family.
Barracuda
The heavy-duty option. At 91 cm and 1.4 kg per rail, the Barracuda handles car, truck and bus tyres, and rails can be deployed individually or combined for wider coverage. It also doubles as a physical barrier strip for road closures and access control.
Piranha
The covert member of the range. Just 9 cm wide and 150 g, the Piranha is placed discreetly under a suspect vehicle during warrant service, surveillance or special operations. When the wheel rolls over it, the tyre deflates within 5 seconds – before the vehicle can leave the scene.
Training
Realistic training is part of the system. Dedicated training versions of the Stop Stick, Terminator and Barracuda match the live equipment in size, weight and handling, so officers can practise deployments safely and build confidence before they ever need to do it for real.
Available in the UK through Chiltern Global
Chiltern Global is the exclusive UK distributor of Stop Stick. We supply the full range, including reload kits, mounting systems and training equipment, and we can advise on the right combination of products for patrol, checkpoint and specialist roles.
Stop Stick products are supplied to police forces, government agencies and approved professional organisations only. To discuss requirements or request a quotation, contact the team at Chiltern Global.
