This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6945814.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| School uniforms made slash-proof | School uniforms made slash-proof |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Parents concerned about knife crime are getting "slash-proof" school uniforms for their children. | 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 the government said stabbings in schools were very rare and accused the firm of scaremongering for profits. | |
| Jim Knight, Department for Children, Schools and Families minister, said: "Stabbings in schools are exceptionally rare. This is a commercial organisation scaremongering to sell its products." | |
| 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' |
| Alf Hitchcock, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said it was an "extraordinary step". | |
| "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. | |
| 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." |