30 November,2009 08:34 AM IST | | Agencies
In order to nab purse stealers, police squad is cross-dressing
An all-male police squad dressed as women has been deployed in Nagoya, Japan, with the goal of catching attempted purse snatchers.
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The policemen, dressed in short skirts, stockings, high heels, wigs and carrying designer bags, have been walking the streets of Nagoya since last month in a bid to lure bag snatchers.
One 26-year-old officer said, "It's cowardly to target women who are weak." Another 25-year-old policeman admitted that he "panicked" when a male driver propositioned him from his car.
The unit consists of four male officers who are at least 160 cm tall. They all have a black belt in judo, karate or some other martial art.
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The squad works out of Naka police station which is in the centre of Nagoya's entertainment district.
Nobody Nabbed
However, the tactic isn't exactly successful as of now. Since the employment of the tactic about a month ago, the squad has yet to nab a single purse snatcher.
