Santa helps police keep you safe this Christmas

Santa is helping Greater Manchester Police to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas this year.

He has taken time out from his busy schedule to front an on-line Advent calendar for GMP. From Saturday 1 December 2012 visitors to www.gmp.police.uk/advent can look behind a door each day in the run-up to Christmas and view a short ‘tongue-in-cheek’ video clip giving advice on how they can keep themselves and their belongings safe.

Making a special appearance are some recognisable characters such as the goose that laid the golden egg, a Pantomime Dame and a Victorian police officer.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “Christmas is a busy time for all of us. But it’s also a very busy time for our criminals, who are out shopping for Christmas too.

“We hope that people will log on to our website and join in with the spirit of the festive season as well as taking away some practical crime prevention advice by being extra vigilant and not allowing others to spoil it for them.”

The online calendar is part of Operation Advent, which is GMP’s response to tackling the potential spikes in crime in the run up to Christmas.

People can also follow what police are doing to keep them safe this Christmas on GMP's social networks that include Twitter on #gmpadvent, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and AudioBoo.

For non-emergency calls or to report a crime call police on 101, or for more information visit gmp.police.uk.

Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

Use 999 only in an emergency where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.

For further information contact: Public Relations on 0161 856 2284 or email: public.relations@gmp.police.uk.