I created slash-proof hoodies for kids after my stepson was robbed at knifepoint
Dean Dawe wanted to give a level of protection to his stepson without him wearing a stab-proof vest and attracting more attention.
Sunday 12 January 2020 13:06, UK
Dean Dawe is a graphic designer who has created slash-proof hoodies for juveniles after his stepson was robbed twice in a month two years ago.
He said he wanted to give a level of protection to 17-year-old Darren Clark without him wearing a stab-proof vest and attracting any more negative attention.
Mr Dawe, who runs a London-based survival equipment company, explains to Sky News how the clothing works and says he does not believe the items glamorise gang culture.
Most people in the security industry have slash-proof items, but there's no option for children. So I thought it would be a good idea to introduce a line for children.
The idea was organic - it was just me, as a concerned parent, trying to offer a solution for other concerned parents.
To offer a product that they can feel comfortable with, without it kind of glamorising the scene (gang culture), because you want it to be as discreet as possible without attracting any attention.
Because if you're walking around in a stab-proof vest, you're going to attract people who want to put it to the test - they want to challenge it.
They may think you have something to hide, or you have something they want, or they may want to take the slash-proof hoodie from you. So as discreet as possible I think is the best solution.
The hoodies are lined with Kevlar, which is a synthetic material that will help stop a slash from a blade or a knife.
They're not designed to take a stab, because a stab vest is heavy, it's bulky - and you can see it from a mile away.
It has layers - it has a plate of laminated Kevlar throughout that obviously will help stop the blade.
Our products offer a more discreet level of protection that you can wear without anyone taking any notice. I didn't want to put a target around my son.
I wanted Darren to be protected - and no-one know he is being protected.
My stepson says he can wear it any every day outfit and it is not too bulky.
Generally, obviously, when there's a knife attack you will get more interest - mainly from mums and groups and anyone who's concerned for their children.
We have to make it very clear if our products are slash-proof or stab-proof, because if they're not, and someone gets hurt, and you're offering something that doesn't do what it says on the label, then you're liable for the person who's injured.
You're not going to get a £30 slash-proof or stab-proof vest from the high street - it's going to mainly be a security company that's selling it. And once you buy it, I would urge you to test it just to make sure it does actually work.
There are always going to be imitations.
I believe consumers are buying them (look-a-like products) for fashion reasons, but they obviously think there's an element of protection involved - which I think once they get home and they test it, they'll find out that it doesn't.
Anyone who wears a look-a-like stab vest is potentially putting themselves in danger.
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People who are going to attack a person wearing one, generally, will aim for vital points.
They'll go for the neck, or somewhere else where they know the person isn't protected if they're going to attack them.
Knife crime is on the rise and people feel they want to protect themselves, so they're going to look for a protective item, like from my shop Titan Depot.
I don't think it's glamorising (a gang culture), I just think it's sad that this is how society has gone.