Muammar Al Khadafi

Thanks to the Daily Mail we have the story of a man, running around in a burka, robbing banks.

He's been caught on CCTV and struck at several travel agents, threatening staff with a knife before taking money.

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What really stands out there though is the comments from Detective Sergeant Terry David of Bedfordshire police.

Quoted directly from the Mail :

"He added it was difficult for police because officers can't go around lifting people's burkas.

'It is a very concentious [sic] issue,' he said. 'A contentious disguise and we think he is deliberately choosing that disguise because of that."

Why can police not "lift peoples burkas"?

They'd have no hesitation asking someone to remove a balaclava or a crash helmet, especially if someone wearing similar had just legged it from the scene of an armed robbery.

Many companies security staff will ask you to remove items which cover your face - queue up at the counter of a bank whilst wearing a balaclava and attempt to carry out any kind of financial transaction if you want first hand proof.

Just why does 'Muslim sensitivity' come before fighting crime and catching knife wielding robbers?

Just how long is before the burka becomes the fashion icon of choice for any self respecting criminal and our streets are filled with hundreds of men and teenagers clad from head to foot in all over coffin suits?

One doubts the police could do a lot about it - cultural sensitivities to Islam would stop them from asking people to show their faces, and it would probably be sexual discrimination to forbid men from wearing one.

Could the burka end up as the new hoody for twenty first century Britain, will we see Dave Cameron run a "hug a burky" campaign when he's next up for election?

If it comes to pass then remember, you heard it here first folks.