A US woman had a lucky escape when a burglar's bullet bounced off the metal underwire in her bra.

Police in the city of Detroit said one of three intruders fired a shot when the woman looked out of her window and saw them raiding the house next door.

The bullet smashed the window and hit her, but instead of causing serious injury - or worse - it was deflected off the wiring in her bra.

The unnamed 57-year-old woman was taken to hospital and released the same day.

"It did slow the bullet down," said a police spokesman. "She sustained injuries but they're not life-threatening."

Teenage gang

The woman, who lives on the west side of Detroit, had seen the youths breaking into the house next door while her neighbour was away.

Police believe one of the gang saw her looking out of the window and fired at her.

The suspects then drove away after the shooting.

Local police Sgt Eren Stephens Bell told the Detroit News: "We need to get some bulletproof vests made from that. It is some strong wire."