August 15, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 1, 1428

LONDON: A British company is offering to provide stab-proof school uniforms, lined with the same material used by soldiers, to parents worried about knife crime among youngsters.BladeRunner, a company based in Romford, east of London, has added the Kevlar-lined uniforms to a range of clothing that also includes knife-resistant hooded tops, t-shirts and gloves.

The uniforms, which cost 130 pounds ($260), have been developed amid growing concern about the number of teenagers who have been stabbed to death.

Seven boys aged under 16 have been killed in London so far this year.

Adrian Davis of Bladerunner, told the BBC: “We introduced Kevlar-lined hooded tops 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.” Kevlar is a light synthetic substance that can be spun into a material that is five times stronger than steel and is used by soldiers for body armour.—AFP