Anti-Riot Helmet

Anti-riot topper, helmet A.R.T. 1986, Northern Ireland. As used in Northern Ireland, certainly in 1971, but I am not sure up to what date. Probably up to early 1980s. The helmet was quite uncomfortable and would flop around when you were running. Obviously the visor was essential in riot situations when rocks, bricks and petrol bombs were thrown at you. We also had riot shields, but nothing to protect our legs. (rioters would throw missiles under the shields) We made our own leg protectors by tying together strips of wood with canvas strips, much like cricketers pads. Also in early Northern Ireland days holding the riot shields rubbed your knuckles bare, so we wrapped our hands in rags. Later they issued special Northern Ireland gloves with padded knuckles. (Stuart Jacobs)