Walking the beat has taken on a whole new meaning in parts of Japan.
In central Aichi prefecture, young slender policemen who hold black belts in martial arts have been cross- dressing in a bid to arrest purse snatchers.
Wearing skirts, stockings, high heels, wigs and flashy designer bags, the all-male squad has been deployed since last month as bait for potential thieves, the Asahi Daily reported.
A 26-year-old officer - 1.71 meters tall and weighing a dainty 61 kilograms - expressed pride in the mission, saying: "It's cowardly to target women who are weak."
So far the stylish unit has failed to nab any muggers, managing only to attract cat-calls and lewd propositions. One 25-year-old officer said he "panicked" when a male driver leaned out of his car window and asked if he wanted to go for a drive.
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