Hunt on for burkha disguise robbers

Two police forces are investigating three robberies which have been carried out recently by men dressed in the Islamic garment.

Bedfordshire Police are investigating robberies in two separate travel agents in the past two months.

A force spokesman said that in the first, a man dressed in a black burkha went into First Choice Travel in The Broadway, Dunstable, and threatened two female members of staff with a knife, then took a "substantial amount of cash".

More than a month later, a man dressed in a black burkha threatened two female members of staff at Thomson travel agent in George Street, Luton. He made off with a large amount of cash.

In a third incident on Tuesday in neighbouring Oxfordshire, armed robbers - one wearing a burkha - stole watches worth £150,000, a Thames Valley Police spokesman said.

Three men went into Michael Jones Jewellers in Banbury High Street. They threatened four members of staff with what is described as a handgun and an axe.

Police said the men were of Asian appearance and two were wearing dark clothing with their faces covered. The third was dressed in a burkha.

Detectives have called for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.