If we ask ourselves the question "how to choose your puncture-resistant jacket" it is because the news unfortunately reminds us every day, and especially at the beginning of June, that in France the issue of personal safety has become a major concern for many citizens. Not a day goes by without a new tragedy, so much so that what appeared 20 years ago as news items has now become a lasting social fact.
While discussions often focus on broader threats, a more insidious and equally alarming reality is gaining ground: that of stabbings. With 10,400 stabbings in 2024, far from the political debates, this threat is a tangible reality that directly impacts the daily lives of thousands of people.
Alarming figures for knife attacks
Statistics paint a worrying picture. Although exact figures are sometimes difficult to isolate from broader categories of "violence", successive reports from police and gendarmerie services, as well as analyses by bodies such as the Observatoire National de la Délinquance et des Réponses Pénales (ONDRP), point to an upward trend in offences involving edged weapons.
The statistics paint a worrying picture, even if the exact quantification of "knife attacks" is complex due to the official statistical categories that group together "bladed weapons" (including knives, but also bats, brass knuckles, etc.). However, Ministry of the Interior data and independent analyses converge to show an increase in violence involving these types of weapons.
According to reports from the Service Statistique Ministériel de la Sécurité Intérieure (SSMSI) and the Police and Gendarmerie Nationale :
Intentional violence with weapons: For the year 2024 (the most complete data often available for this type of detail), there were around 10,400 intentional assaults involving bladed weapons, a significant proportion of which were attributable to knives. A 2-fold increase since 2022.
Threats involving weapons: The number of threats involving weapons (including knives) is much higher, at around 18,000 to 22,000 a year.
Homicides: With regard to intentional homicides, it is estimated that 200 to 250 deaths per year in France are linked to the use of a knife. These figures are conservative estimates, as judicial or hospital records (emergency services report around 3,000 admissions a year for non-fatal knife wounds) may sometimes differ or complement each other.
An upward trend over 20 years
Over the last twenty years, the trend has been clear. A retrospective analysis of Ministry of the Interior data shows an increase in knife violence. For example, the number of recorded incidents rose from around 34,000 in 2013 to 47,700 in 2022, an increase of almost 40% over this period.
Although 2020 saw a slight dip (-8%) potentially linked to health confinements, violence picked up again in 2021 (+14%) and continues to be a concern. Emergency services, for their part, reported a 25% increase in hospitalizations for stab wounds between 2015 and 2022, an indicator that testifies to the growing severity of the injuries inflicted.
This democratization of knife use in assaults is confirmed by the profile of suspects and victims: a majority of them young people, often in the context of brawls or robberies, and an almost systematic presence of knives during arrests in certain urban areas. This reality, far from being the stuff of fantasy, underlines the urgent need to reinforce personal safety.
Innovation for safety
Faced with this growing threat, innovation in personal safety has had to adapt. For a long time, protection against edged weapons was the prerogative of law enforcement and security personnel, with equipment that was often heavy, rigid and ill-suited to everyday civilian use. However, textile engineering has made giant strides, enabling the emergence of discreet, high-performance solutions.
Puncture- and cut-resistant technology
Blade protection is no mean feat. It requires materials capable of dispersing the energy of an attack, resisting puncture and deflecting the blade. Aramid fibers such as Kevlar or Twaron have long been the stars of this protection, renowned for their incredible resistance to traction and cuts. But the real innovation lies in the way these fibers are woven and combined.
The latest advances incorporate ultra-dense mesh, sometimes composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a polymer which, despite its light weight, offers exceptional resistance to abrasion, cuts and punctures. These materials are often superimposed in several layers, creating a flexible shield that absorbs and distributes the force of impact, preventing the blade from penetrating. It's a complex dance between sufficient rigidity to resist puncture and the flexibility required to ensure comfort and discretion.
Protection standards, a guarantee of reliability
When it comes to safety, standards are more than just formalities; they reflect rigorous testing that guarantees a product's effectiveness. For cut resistance, the most relevant European standard is EN 388. It classifies materials according to their performance against abrasion, slicing, tearing, perforation and, more recently, cutting (TDM-100 test). A high level according to this standard (for example, a level 5 or F for cut) indicates significant protection.
For perforation, other specific tests are carried out to assess a material's ability to withstand a puncture wound. Choosing a garment certified to these standards means ensuring that the promised protection is not just a marketing ploy, but a tried and tested reality.
The V007 jacket from VEST PARIS, elegance and safety
It's against this backdrop of a growing need for personal safety and technological advances that the V007 jacket from VEST PARIS emerges as an iconic solution. Far from the clichés of bulky, stigmatizing body armor, since its launch in 2015 the V007 has embodied a new generation of protection: one that fits seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe, without sacrificing style or comfort.
Invisible protection for everyday use
VEST PARIS understands that for a protective solution to be truly useful, it must be adoptable by all, in all circumstances. The V007 is not a suit of armor, it's an elegant jacket with a sleek, modern design that ingeniously conceals its protective capabilities. Whether you're on a business trip, on a night out, or simply strolling through town, the V007 blends into the background, offering peace of mind without attracting attention.
Technological excellence at the service of the V007
At the heart of the V007 jacket is cutting-edge engineering provided by Protecop, the French leader in homeland security. Protecop has woven Kevlar and polyethylene fibers in a specific way to create a formidable barrier against blades. These fibers, renowned for being among the strongest in the world in terms of strength-to-weight ratio, enable the jacket to offer exceptional cut and puncture protection without adding excessive weight or bulk.
The strategic layering of these protective layers, combined with meticulous manufacturing, ensures that the V007 meets the most stringent security requirements, particularly against common stabbing threats. It's a commitment to safety that translates into choosing a partner like Protecop.
Comfort, style and durability: the pillars of the V007
But the V007 isn't just a technical feat; it's also a garment designed for everyday wear. Its lightness and flexibility guarantee optimum comfort, allowing total freedom of movement. The timeless design and quality finishes make it a durable piece of your wardrobe, capable of lasting through the seasons. It's also designed to be easy-care, tear- and wear-resistant, guaranteeing a lasting investment in your safety.
Choosing your anti-perforation jacket
The rise in knife attacks is a complex reality that requires multiple responses, ranging from social prevention to police action. But for the individual, the ability to protect themselves is an essential component of personal safety. The V007 jacket from VEST PARIS represents a major step forward in this quest. It democratizes access to effective protection, transforming an ordinary garment into a discreet but formidable shield.
Nowadays, in view of the latest events shaking our society, choosing the V007 means not giving in to fear, but making a proactive choice for your safety and peace of mind. It means anticipating the unexpected. It's about buying confidence. VEST PARIS doesn't just sell a jacket; it proposes a new approach to safety, where elegance and protection become one.