Homeless people across Wales are to be offered stab-proof coats that can turn into a sleeping bag to keep them safe and warm.

The coats are being tested and trialled by homeless people across south Wales, and are made of non-flammable, slash proof material.

The ROOF initiative trains and employs homeless people to make the coat which are then distributed back to those in need across the UK.

Chief executive of Red Dragon, one of the social-enterprises behind the scheme, Jo Farr said: "We already train people with skills who have found themselves homeless, and it just became apparent that there was still a massive stigma with homeless people.

"But in our experience spending time with them, they are just normal human beings.

"They are terrified so we thought what could we do."

The ROOF coat

Jo is also CEO of Red Dragon Manufacturing Ltd, which creates flags in Swansea. It rehabilitates people in the Welsh community by training them in practical skills and teaching them to sew flags.

The coats are currently undergoing accreditation tests for water, fire and slash proofing and safety to freezing temperatures.

Jo said: "So far we haven't had any negative feedback."

They also include sharps proof pockets, military grade strong zips and fittings.

The company say they are fully washable, lightweight, portable and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Each coat costs £700 in total to make.

The coat is still undergoing tests

Jo said: "We know homeless people need housing, this is not an alternative. It's just a way to cope with what the world is throwing at you.

"It's a small bit of comfort. If you are not freezing cold too people are less likely to turn to a 'beer jacket' to keep warm."

Jo said the coats are kitted with a 'quick-release' feature so people can quickly get out of the sleeping bag if they are in danger.

Cardiff was recently named one of the worst places in the UK for homeless deaths.

There were an estimated 24 deaths in the Welsh capital between 2013 and 2017 inclusive, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It means there were an estimated 1.7 deaths per 100,000 population.

In total, Wales had an estimated 90 deaths over the five years - with an estimated 13 deaths in 2017. 

The figures mainly include people sleeping rough at or around the time of death, but also include those using emergency accommodation such as homeless shelters and direct access hostels.

The social enterprise Red Dragaon in Swansea are developing the coats alongside Cardiff-based homelessness charity Llamau.

The initiative said they have trained and helped over 170 people on their way in the past five years and currently employ 10 people, with plans to take on more as demand increases.