Onlookers visiting Santa were left confused when the man in red was suddenly placed under arrest.
While Derbyshire police have confirmed that the arrest of a Santa in Findern, Derbyshire, was a Christmas prank - some were left with the impression it was actually a real police intervention.
Confused onlookers then watched as the Father Christmas figure was bundled off his trailer and handcuffed by officers next to the village green.
But Mercia Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team posted on its Facebook page last night revealing that the arrest had all been a prank. The spoof arrest was a collaboration between the police, Findern Parish Council, the Rotary Club and Festive Findern.
Followers of the page reacted positively to the comedic moment - but some who witnessed it at the time were left with the distinct impression that it was a real arrest. One reader asked Derbyshire Live: "Any idea what happened with the Santa they arrested in Findern tonight from the sleigh in front of all the kids? The police wouldn't tell us anything."
Despite the confusion, online followers were quick to praise the cops for getting involved in the community. One said: “Thank you so much Bob, Sgt Nizzer and team - your festive spirit and support of our event was a delight.”
The Facebook post contained a video of the arrest in which Santa can be seen being led towards a police van. His elves look stunned as their leader is busted.
The story was that Father Christmas had been reported to the police after being “spotted making off from a local cafe without paying for a haul full of seasonal goodies”. The initial report was made by a “concerned volunteer at a community cafe".
Santa was then “chased through the village” before being “dragged off his sleigh” and “vigorously searched”. The search revealed his chocolate gifts, intended for “distribution on Christmas Eve”.
But Santa then explained to the police that it was a misunderstanding and that he’d been collecting donated food items for needy and vulnerable families in South Derbyshire. He was “released immediately”.
The incident was part of Festive Findern’s Christmas Fayre, which ran from 5pm until 8pm on Thursday, December 22. Santa’s sleigh was one of the main attractions as pictures with him were on offer, as well as face painting and game stalls.
Another comment on Facebook said: “Mercia Police SNT is the gift that keeps on giving. How lucky are we to have this team? Absolutely fantastic. Neighbourhood policing at its very best and not just at entertaining us but getting rid of a lot of miscreants and lawbreakers.”
Officer Bob, from the Mercia Police SNT, said: “We’d been contacted by droves of local people asking us to come along this year and join in the fun – and it wouldn’t truly be Christmas if officers didn’t visit Findern to lock up Santa at this wonderful seasonal event. The occasion has become a firm favourite with our team.”
The police are encouraging residents to gift essential items to the South Derbyshire CVS food bank. Collection points are available at The Maple Tree Café in Repton and the Co-op in Willington.
