It may look like a bizarre forest goblin, but this 'tree' is actually the latest German anti-crime technology – a policeman dressed in a suit!

The outfit, which was ordered from a catalogue, actually helped police in Bochum in North Rhine-Westphalia catch a Romanian serial burglar.

A passer-by had earlier discovered bin bags containing laptops, clothes and tools for breaking in. It was immediately clear what it was – a burglar’s lair!

Inspector Michael L. was keen to catch the crook red-handed. He said: “I discussed with my colleague how we could camouflage ourselves in the forest. Then we discovered the suit in a mail-order catalogue and bought two for €100 each – out of our own pockets.”

Now you see him, now you don't: Inspector Michael L. lies perfectly camouflaged in the forest.

“As we jumped up from the ground, we were immediately attacked. But we were able to overwhelm and arrest the man.”

The 39-year-old Romanian had only travelled to Germany for the break-ins. Michael added: “We were able to recover the stolen laptops. That made spending our own money worthwhile.”