Police body armour

The London Metropolitan were the first to introduce protective 'stab-proof' vests for all officers from 1997. Although it was not mandatory to wear one at that time. Other Police Forces throughout the United Kingdom later followed suite. These were first made available to Met Police undertaking special high risk operations during the mid-1990's and were later issued to all officers from 1997. 

In 2007 the Home Office Scientific Branch issued Body Armour Standards for UK Police. 

Wanstead and Woodford Guardian 5 February 2004

It's a sign of the times when it reaches the point that Police Officers have to wear such protective clothing on a routine basis.  

Fully equipped Manchester Police respond to disturbances in 2011

 

The Daily Mail reporting on the Manchester riots in 2011

 

Meanwhile, back in 1994.......

Bristol Western Daily Express 8 May 1994

Avon & Somerset Constabulary were one of the first to follow on from the Metropolitan Police. They began trialling protective vests in 1997 with a view to making them standard issue.

Bristol Western Daily Press 19 November 1996

Weston and Worle News May 1997

Bristol Evening Post 8 August 1997

Wiltshire Police issued all their officers with protective vests from December 2000 and Dorset did the same in 2001.

Dorset Daily Echo 16 June 2001

I believe the following examples of female issue stab proof vests originate from Avon & Somerset Constabulary. These are surplus vests and as such badges have been removed in compliance with disposal procedures. 

This first example is likely to be one of the first to be issued because it features the older style loops which were used with the old Motorola HT600E radios and later the replacement TETRA radios. There is evidence this vest was previously fitted with the old style bell shape Police badge and large sew on POLICE on the reverse. 

Example 1:

This later version still used the old style sew on badges but has the newer 'klick fast' radio vest fittings.

Example 2:

 

Finally, this third example has provision for velcro fastening badges and uses the 'klick-fast' radio fittings. 

Example 3:

 

This Avon & Somerset Constabulary Inspector is seen here wearing a stab-proof vest in 2008. It's likely that the patch is sewn on since this is relatively soon after the stab-vests were first issued and the velcro patches were introduced later. I believe the very first vests to be issued were fitted with the old 'bell' shaped patches. 

Embed from Getty Images 

 

These frequently appear on eBay in the UK and at the time of writing can be purchased for £25-£35. Since these have now been in use for over a decade, there will be a constant supply reaching the second hand market. What's surprising is that somebody seems to be buying them. Finding an older version with original sew on badges intact would certainly appeal to the collector, but these are very rare. 

Here's an example of a later male issue stab-proof vest. The only noticeable difference being this has a longer length compared to the female issue versions.

Avon & Somerset Constabulary officers on Park Street, Bristol in 2010 for the student demonstration against tuition fees. They are using shoulder pads, PSU gloves, long batons and helmet chin straps, which are only used for crowd control/public order situations.

.

Embed from Getty Images