Body armour sales in Belgium up fivefold

Producers of bulletproof vests can barely keep up with demand, claiming a fivefold sales boost since the terrorist attacks in Paris earlier this month, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

Since the attacks in Paris and the dismantling of the terror network in Verviers and Brussels over the last few weeks, the phone has been ringing off the hook at the producers of bulletproof vests and other protective clothing. "Police departments have called to ask for price offers," confirms Kristof Daels of Sioen Armour Technology in Ardooie, West Flanders. "There is also a lot of interest from new customers in France."

The producers are not only getting more calls from police forces, but from individuals as well. Firefighters and emergency room doctors are good customers, according to Daels. "They also have to deal with aggression at work."

Daels has also noticed an increasing number of regular citizens interested in purchasing bulletproof vests, out of fear of being involved in a terror attack.