A company that produces body armour claims it is getting increased inquiries from students in Manchester following the death of a police officer in the city.

Vestguard said phone calls increased in the wake of the death of Detective Constable Stephen Oake, who was not wearing protective gear when he died.

The Essex-based company claims students feel they are vulnerable targets for the likes of street robberies and want better protection.

Vestguard director Shaun Ward said he was surprised to get calls from the general public - his clients are usually businesses.

'Stay alive'

Mr Ward told BBC GMR: "One student phoned me up and said that Vestguards could help to get him through his exams.

"I said 'How can we do that?'. He then said he wanted to stay alive and he needed a stab-proof vest to do that."

Mr Ward said another student had decided not to take out life insurance because it was better value for money to purchase body armour.

However Gian Paulo Vignali, president of Umist Students' Association, said he had not heard of students showing interest in the protective gear.

He said: "Safety is a main priority when students come from outside Manchester to this major city.

"We've set up a personal safety awareness class, where students can come down to talk to police about how to handle themselves in difficult situations.

"But that doesn't include buying body armour."