The first “quick-release hijab” designed specifically for female Muslim officers in the UK has entered production — hailed as a safety and modesty innovation by police authorities, and already drawing interest from other services both inside and outside the country.
A New Hijab for Muslim Police Officers
Leicestershire Police in England has announced that the UK’s first “quick-release hijab” for frontline female Muslim officers has entered production.
Known as the Blue Light Hijab®, the garment uses a magnetic quick-release system: if the lower portion of the hijab is forcibly pulled during a confrontation, it detaches immediately — preventing the risk of strangulation, while preserving modesty and a professional appearance.
Background: A Two-Decade Idea Comes to Fruition
The concept was first proposed around 20 years ago by Yassin Desai, a detective sergeant with Leicestershire Police and founder of the force’s Muslim Police Association. Over the years, none of the available hijab designs adequately met the dual needs of operational safety and religious modesty.
In 2022, Desai teamed up with researchers at De Montfort University (DMU) — specifically textile experts including Dr Angela Davies and technician Kay Radford — to begin designing a garment that could satisfy all requirements. After three years of development, trials, and refinements, the Blue Light Hijab has now been approved and produced.
Desai remarked that the new hijab is the outcome of years of dedication, collaboration and rigorous testing.
Reception: From Officers to Emergency Services
New recruits such as Hafsah Abba-Gana and Seher Nas have welcomed the hijab — saying it gives them confidence that their faith and their police role can coexist safely and respectfully.
David Sandall, the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, described the Blue Light Hijab as a new benchmark in uniform design, praising its combination of modesty, safety, and professionalism. He emphasized that a uniform that “works for everyone” makes the police force more representative and inclusive.
Interest in the hijab already extends beyond policing: paramedics, the NHS, other emergency-response organisations, and even private-sector employers have expressed interest in using the design for female employees requiring modest, safe head coverings.
The development was carried out under DMU’s “rapid-innovation” programme known as QUIDs (Quick Innovation Developers), which pairs academic researchers with organisations in need of bespoke technical solutions.
From: shabestan