There was much amusement earlier this week at a story claiming that a meeting of "bearded hipsters" in Sweden had been investigated by police who suspected the men were members of Islamic State.
We at Little Atoms, were a little sceptical, not least because the website of the "Bearded Villains", the hirsute group in question, appears to be little more than a T-shirt shop.
So, fearless investigative journalists we are, we got in touch with police in Jönköping, Sweden, where the incident took place.
We've just received this charming email from Jan, the spokesman for the local police force:
Yes, the story is truth. Saturdays (10 okt) nine o`clock am. Besides motor way E4 about 40 km north Jönköping a motorist passed a place called Brahe hus.
Brahe hus is famous historical place on a hill with the lake Vättern down. Vättern from south to north 150 km, a big lake and a wonderful wiew.
The Motorist called the Police in Jönköping because he thought he had seen a flag just like an IS flag. And around the flag the Motorist could see
About 30 men with beards. Not far from the place a policepatrol patrolled the highway and checked the call up.
Yes, they found 30 bearded men but they where no from IS. That was man who had stopped for rest and for photos .
The reason that they had gathering was that they were going to collect money for charity during the weekend.
So, the patrol left the Bearded Villains but it was a good Story and the Newspapers spread the Story around.
So there you have it: it really happened, it would seem. Maybe we should be a little less sceptical.
