See, Costumes *DO* Work in Catching Criminals

Even as the TV series Heroes and Smallville have mostly eschewed "costumes" in favor of "more gritty and realistic" portrayals of crime-fighters, the police are learning that a costume can be useful in foiling the dastardly deeds of evildoers.

The Dynamic Duo - Sgt Tony Smith and PC Mike Holman - pulled on the superhero outfits in a bid to unsettle the suspected baddies.
They pretended to be drunks looking for a fancy dress party and knocked on the door of the suspect's home.
Those inside refused to answer the door to the loud, comically dressed visitors - which was what the officers wanted.
Batman and Robin then went around the back of the property in Weymouth, Dorset, while seven uniformed officers went to the front door.
Those inside the house were PLEASED to see the policemen and complained to them about the fancy dress drunks. They then invited the officers in.

No doubt the British police will be adopting superhero outfits for many of their major branches. However, a word of advice: avoid spandex for your more rotund officers.