Bind the upper parts (5)

I believe the answer is:

strap

'bind' is the definition.
(strapping is a kind of binding)

'the upper parts' is the wordplay.
'the upper' says the letters should be written backwards (I've seen 'upped' mean this (in down clue, made to go up)).
'parts' back-to-front is 'STRAP'.

(Other definitions for strap that I've seen before include "punishment in school" , "Shoulder band" , "something to hang on to" , "Restraining fastener" , "e.g. Belt" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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