'Scared' UK pupils wear stab-proof vests to protect themselves from gangs

Melbourne, Jan 19 (ANI): Terrified of gang violence in schools, many kids in the UK are wearing stab-proof vests to protect themselves, according to a new report.

According to the Independent, teachers at one school where pupils are said to be "seriously involved in gangs" were "aware of young people wearing bullet-proof/stab-proof vests in school".

It is believed that many students as young as 16 are involved in gangs and the number has significantly doubled in the past five years.

The report commissioned by the NASUWT teachers' union showed that primary school kids, as young as nine, are becoming involved with gangs used as "runners" and "couriers" to ferry messages by older members.

"Some of the case study schools felt the problem had increased over the last few years with gangs becoming more dangerous involving children at a younger age," The Australian quoted the research as stating.

Some of the pupils have even started carrying weapons in school.

The most common weapons included BB air pistols and batons and even a meat cleaver.

One pupil told researchers he was wearing body armour because of "needing to", although attacks were more likely to take place on the way to and from school.

The report suggests several measures to lessen the impact of gang involvement, such as sending children on prison visits to see the effect of loss of liberty. (ANI)