Public Order Unit

2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF

Telephone 020 7035 1807 Fax: 020 7035 4745 Textphone: 020 7035 4742

E-mail: [email address] Website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Mr Mark Charlesworth

Reference: T4188/9 25 March 2009

Dear Mr Charlesworth,

Thank you for your e-mail of 8 March to the Home Office in which you requested which police forces have stab vests as standard issue uniform and the reasons for introducing them. You also asked the year in which each police force introduced them. Your request was handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This information is not held by the Home Office. I would suggest you re-direct your request to individual police forces as the purchase of equipment for each force is a decision for the Chief Constable. It is also worth noting that the majority of routine patrol body armours in use in the UK are dual purpose, offering both ballistic and knife protection, with some offering additional spike protection. Ballistic only or knife only armours are usually only purchased for use in very specific roles.

If you are dissatisfied with this response you may request an independent internal review of our handling of your request by submitting your complaint within two months to the address below quoting reference 11450 to:

Information Rights Team

Information and Record Management Service

Home Office
4^th Floor, Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Should you remain dissatisfied after this internal review, you will have a further right of complaint to the Information Commissioner.

Yours sincerely

Jonathan Batt

Public Order Section