Have you ever felt the need for a bulletproof clipboard? No me neither but The Ballistic Clipboard from Impact Armor Technologies in the United States has been designed in response to requests from law enforcement agencies. It’s issued to traffic officers doing routine traffic stops and is both bullet and stab proof.

I tell the story for two reasons – firstly as a warning that there are probably better career moves than becoming a traffic cop in the United States! But secondly, perhaps there’s an opportunity here. The tragic case of a Leeds school teacher who was stabbed in her classroom a few weeks ago, highlighted the dangers faced by people in seemingly ‘safe’ professions. In addition to teachers, I’m know that social workers, health professionals and civil servants often risk assault by members of the public in the course of their work. Could there be an opportunity to create a range of items (like the clipboard) that double up as either a weapon or shield in the event of the worst happening?