The Rising Demand for Stab Vests in UK Security

In recent years, the landscape of frontline security has changed dramatically. Violence and aggression against those working in public-facing roles are no longer rare incidents, they’re becoming part of the everyday reality for thousands of security professionals across the UK. Against this backdrop, the use of stab resistant body armour or ‘stab vests’ is rapidly shifting from being a specialist requirement to a mainstream necessity.

A Growing Security Workforce and a Growing Exposure to Risk

In 2017, there were just over 317,000 active SIA licence holders in the UK. By December 2024, that number had risen to over 497,000, a 57% increase in only seven years. This tells us something important, that more people are working in environments where the potential for confrontation, aggression or violence is real. Whether that’s door supervision, retail security, healthcare security, transport hubs, or local authority operations. Even if only a modest proportion of these professionals operate in high-risk situations, the absolute number of individuals exposed to risk has grown significantly. It’s simple maths, more licence holders, more people needing protection.

The Threat Environment is Evolving

The rise in assaults on security personnel, retail staff, enforcement officers, and healthcare security has been widely reported. Knife crime remains high, and many frontline professionals now find themselves intervening in situations once handled exclusively by the police. Between 2015 and 2024, knife crime in England and Wales has remained consistently higher than a decade ago, with several spikes recorded during this period. According to the Office for National Statistics, knife-enabled offences rose from around 25,000 in 2015 to over 49,000 at their peak in 2019, before dipping slightly during the pandemic and then climbing again in the post-lockdown years. Whilst London continues to account for the largest proportion of incidents, the rise has been seen across multiple regions, including the Midlands and the North of England. Data from the Home Office shows from March 2024 to March 2025 there were 53,047 serious offences involving knives in England and Wales. This sustained level of knife crime has had a direct impact on those working in frontline security roles, increasing the likelihood of them encountering edged weapon threats in the course of their duties.

Duty of Care and Legal Pressure

Employers have a legal and moral duty to protect their people. Regulatory bodies and legal frameworks increasingly expect risk assessments to translate into tangible protective measures. If staff face a foreseeable risk of violence, providing appropriate PPE, including stab resistant body armour, becomes less of an option and more of an obligation. In the coming years, more organisations will recognise that failing to protect staff adequately is a serious liability.

Modern Body Armour Removes the Old Barriers

One of the most significant changes in recent years is product innovation. Gone are the days of bulky, uncomfortable stab vests. Modern protective solutions are lightweight, breathable and covert, allowing professionals to wear them for extended periods without discomfort or drawing unwanted attention. This shift is critical, because the more comfortable and discreet armour becomes, the easier it is for organisations to deploy it more widely. Wearing a stab vest once carried a stigma, it was seen as something only “heavy” security roles needed. That’s no longer the case. Wearing body armour today is viewed by many professionals as standard kit, much like a radio, high-viz or ID badge. As that culture continues to shift, resistance to adoption will fade, and expectation will rise.

Looking Ahead

The direction of travel is clear, we are seeing more licence holders in frontline security roles, and with that comes greater exposure to violence and aggression. Legal and moral pressure on employers to protect their teams continues to build, while modern, lightweight armour is making widespread deployment increasingly practical. At the same time, the culture around personal protection is shifting. What was once optional is fast becoming expected. The security workforce of tomorrow will be better protected, because it will have to be. The demand for effective, lightweight body armour is not just likely to rise, it’s inevitable.

About the author:

Richard Fox is the Director of Operations at PPSS Group, specialists in protective solutions for frontline professionals. If you want to talk to our team about stab resistant body armour options or other protective solutions we offer, you contact us here.