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The bizarre footage shows the two officers apprehend the suspect while dressed in the traditional religious robes, grabbing him roughly in what appears to be a car park in La Bricarde, Marseille. One policeman can be seen wearing a full-body burka and a face veil, while the other was captured dressed in a similar long Islamic-style robe.

A third officer, dressed in the traditional police uniform, later joined them and the suspect is seen being led away by the three men. But the method used to carry out the arrest has been blasted by some as offensive.

TWITTER The shocking footage was snapped in a car park in Marseille

Twitter user Salem, who shared the video on the social media site, condemned the police tactics - claiming it “stigmatised” young Muslim people. And the video also sparked a fierce debate on Twitter, with one user saying: “I think it’s bad from a certain point of view, even if the infiltration is successful, it is super offensive.” But one police officer disagreed, saying there was “nothing offensive” about the tactic.

TWITTER The two officers were dressed in traditional Islamic robes

Police officers dress sometimes so as not to be spotted, whether as a priest or in a kaftan Police source

He explained: “Police officers dress sometimes so as not to be spotted, whether as a priest or in a kaftan.” The covert operation had been conducted by the Specialist Field Brigade on Wednesday, and police were targeting a suspected dealer. Officers confirmed he was arrested during the mission, and was found to be in possession of a kilo of cannabis and at least £250 in cash.

These countries have BANNED the burka Mon, February 20, 2017 Several European countries have banned full-face veils since France's controversial law in 2011 Play slideshow GETTY 1 of 14 Switzerland: The region of Ticino voted in favour of a ban in a referendum

He has since been placed in custody, along with two other suspected dealers from the same criminal cell. While some have criticised the video, which was shared more than 3,000 times on Twitter alone, others have praised the officers for thinking outside the box. Guillotine said: “It’s not insulting. This is logical to adapt an outfit to not arouse suspicion.”

TWITTER The two officers clung on the the supspect

TWITTER A third officer in normal police uniform later arrived