Firm develops bullet-proof hoodie

A new bullet-proof hoodie to protect against street violence will go on sale later this month.

The £300 "Defender" hoodie makes the wearer's upper body invincible to 9mm Magnum handgun bullets, according to its maker.

It was developed by London-based company Bladerunner, which also makes stab-proof tops.

Company owner Barry Samms said a mother from Walthamstow, east London, whose son had been mugged three times, was among customers asking for bullet-proof clothing.

"We've had quite a lot of interest from the US and a couple of calls from the UK," he said.

"Our current customers range from undercover police to security workers to concerned parents."

The top is made from a new fibre called Dyneema, which is thinner than the material used to make traditional bullet-proof vests.

Mr Samms denied his firm was targeting teenage gang members with the invention, claiming the hoodie was the best way of disguising its bullet-proof nature.

"It's only a hoodie because you can't really put a zip across the front of something bullet-proof," he said.

The hoodie is currently in the prototype stage, but orders can already be placed with Bladerunner, which has offices in Romford, Essex.

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