Protection device for a luggage compartment of a vehicle

The boot protective device for a motor vehicle has at least one flexible material element (8) which is movable between a compactly stowed neutral position and a drawn out functioning position. Locking means (18) are provided to lock the extension component (11) of the flexible material element in the element's drawn out functioning position. The locking means, viewed in the direction of extension of the flexible element, are located at least approximately at the same height as or behind a boot section defining the neutral position of the extension component.