German policewomen's latest shield - the 'bullet-resistant bras'!

London, Aug 5 : Undercover protection has just got a 'deeper' push, all thanks to the 'bullet-resistant bras' which are being issued to police women in Germany.

The revolutionary underwear has been developed as a second barrier of defence after normal bras were found to cause injuries while on duty.

The officers' bullet-proof vests, while stopping the force of gunshots in an attack, pushed the plastic and metal parts of their underwear into their flesh, causing injury.

"These can save someone's life so it's not a laughing matter,' Telegraph quoted Carmen Kibat, a policewoman in Hamburg who tested the new underwear, as saying.

Kibat organised "Action Brassiere" across Germany, getting hundreds of policewomen to try the bras out in the line of duty.

The garment is all emblazoned with the word "police" and made from cotton, polyester, elastic and some other synthetic materials, thickly padded and with no metal or plastic studs or fasteners.

Three thousand front-line women police officers will now be required to wear the bras on duty. Their bosses have decided to allow them to have three each.

Ruediger Carstens, a spokeswoman for the police, said: "This was pioneering work. The safety of our officers is paramount."

ANI