A former police officer was left in shock after it was revealed that staff at a shopping centre were being offered stab vests as attacks have surged in recent months.

The staff at the County Square centre in Ashford, Kent, were stunned to be given the vests that are typically worn by police officers and prison guards after management rolled out the new scheme initially just for security.

The drastic move was slammed as "truly astonishing" by Peter Bleksley, a former Met Police officer.

Speaking to GB News he said: "This whole story begs what has this once great nation come to?"How much of a threat is a cleaner going to be to anybody, as they tidy up the mess that lazy others leave behind? It is truly astonishing. But of course, it's just a progression.

"And this is the rot with regards to retail crime that started around 2014 when the police, crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill got passed.