'Anti-slash hoodies' to protect teens

PARENTS have already been accused of wrapping their children in "cotton wool" to protect them from the dangers of the modern world. Now they can buy them "anti-slash" vests to guard against knife-wielding thugs.

With Scotland infamous as the knife crime capital of Europe, teenagers are being offered a range of fashionable tops with a Kevlar layer to reduce the effect of random attacks.

The clothes being targeted at teenagers and young adults are being sold by Bladerunner, which usually provides protective clothing for workers in dangerous occupations, such as undercover police officers, security guards, and doormen - although they also supply teachers worried about violence in classrooms. Costs range from a T-shirt at 42.29 to hooded tops at 76.

But the company's marketing drive has been criticised by the Scottish Government and opposition politicians. Official figures released yesterday show that knife crime is falling with a 30 per cent decrease in offensive weapons crime.

Ten years ago were 5,209 crimes of possessing an offensive weapon in Scotland, compared with 3,839 last year.