The Hanson Effect? Top cop weighs in on burqa burglar

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has raised fears political commentary around banning the burqa has inspired criminals to use the religious garment to carry out armed robberies.

A non-Muslim woman, 21, has been charged over an alleged armed robbery in Croydon, disguised in a burqa or niqab.

Mr Ashton said it’s the only time in his decades-long policing career he can recall a burqa being used as a disguise.

It came only two days after One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa in parliament in a widely-derided stunt about security.

Mr Ashton told 3AW he hopes it’s not the start of a criminal trend.

“I’m not sure whether in this case that offender was following an example or something that she’s watched in Parliament,” he said.

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