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School uniforms made slash-proof | |
(39 minutes later) | |
Parents concerned about knife crime are getting "slash-proof" school uniforms for their children. | |
A company is offering to modify blazers and jumpers by lining them with knife-resistant Kevlar. | A company is offering to modify blazers and jumpers by lining them with knife-resistant Kevlar. |
Bladerunner in Romford, east London, said it has been contacted by the parents of five local pupils about the £130 adaptation. | Bladerunner in Romford, east London, said it has been contacted by the parents of five local pupils about the £130 adaptation. |
But Alf Hitchcock, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said it was an "extraordinary step". | But Alf Hitchcock, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said it was an "extraordinary step". |
Kevlar is a synthetic material that can be spun into a fabric which makes it light but also very strong. | Kevlar is a synthetic material that can be spun into a fabric which makes it light but also very strong. |
Seven teenagers have so far been stabbed to death in London this year. | Seven teenagers have so far been stabbed to death in London this year. |
I think paying £130 is worth it for peace of mind - kids spend more than that just on trainers Parent Jo Coleman | I think paying £130 is worth it for peace of mind - kids spend more than that just on trainers Parent Jo Coleman |
Adrian Davis, from Bladerunner, said: "We introduced Kevlar-lined hooded tops out earlier this year and off the back of that a few parents asked us if we could alter school uniforms to make them stab proof. | Adrian Davis, from Bladerunner, said: "We introduced Kevlar-lined hooded tops out earlier this year and off the back of that a few parents asked us if we could alter school uniforms to make them stab proof. |
"So we are offering the service on a private, individual basis." | "So we are offering the service on a private, individual basis." |
He added the pupils were not from any one school. | He added the pupils were not from any one school. |
'Peace of mind' | 'Peace of mind' |
Mr Hitchcock said: "The reality of course is that crimes involving knives are proportionately very very low. | Mr Hitchcock said: "The reality of course is that crimes involving knives are proportionately very very low. |
"But we do recognise that some parents do have that fear (of crime) and some feel they need to go to these steps." | "But we do recognise that some parents do have that fear (of crime) and some feel they need to go to these steps." |
One parent, Jo Coleman from Romford said she was thinking of getting her son's jacket lined with Kevlar. | One parent, Jo Coleman from Romford said she was thinking of getting her son's jacket lined with Kevlar. |
She said: "I think paying £130 is worth it for peace of mind - kids spend more than that just on trainers. | She said: "I think paying £130 is worth it for peace of mind - kids spend more than that just on trainers. |
"I think it is a good idea. You are not so much worried now about adults snatching kids, but about the other children." | "I think it is a good idea. You are not so much worried now about adults snatching kids, but about the other children." |