A pioneering quick-release hijab designed to improve safety and comfort for Muslim women in frontline policing has entered production, with police forces and emergency services across the UK already placing orders.
The Blue Light Hijab®, developed by Leicestershire Police in partnership with designers at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), features a magnetic release system that allows the lower section to detach instantly if grabbed during a confrontation. The mechanism is intended to prevent strangulation while preserving modesty and a professional appearance.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
Chief Constable David Sandall said the new garment sets “a new standard for uniform innovation,” praising the years of collaboration and testing behind the design. “Creating a uniform that works for everyone makes us a better, more representative and more inclusive force,” he said during a visit to meet the DMU design team.
The project involved extensive wearer trials, safety testing and materials research with serving Muslim female officers. Hijabs cover the head and neck while leaving the face visible, and designers sought to balance religious requirements with operational safety.
The concept originated two decades ago with Detective Sergeant Yassin Desai, founder of the Leicestershire Police Association of Muslim Police. After years of searching for a suitable design and manufacturer, he partnered with DMU’s Dr Angela Davies and technician Kay Radford in 2022. “We completed combat trials with female officers and it held up — the bottom part detached and the officer kept her dignity,” DS Desai said, calling the final product “safe” and “long overdue.”
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
New recruits PC Hafsah Abba-Gana and PC Seher Nas welcomed the introduction, saying the hijab allows them to serve while confidently observing their faith. Inspector Marina Waka added that she hopes the design will encourage more Muslim women to consider policing.
DMU’s Dr Davies said the lack of an approved uniform hijab had long created uncertainty for forces. The new design, developed through the university’s rapid-innovation QUIDs programme, now offers a consistent, UK-manufactured option. Early interest has also come from paramedics, the NHS, private-sector employers and international emergency services.
Orders and further information are available via the Blue Light Hijab website.
