Police in the Philippine capital of Manila are getting into the Christmas spirit by wearing Santa hats on the beat.
Some officers will also be dressed in the full suit and deployed around the city.
Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Geary Barias, explained that 1,000 officers and 700 police recruits have traded their blue caps in for the festive season.
He said: “We want to make sure our people celebrate the Christmas season peacefully, free from crime incidents.
“Our targets will be petty criminals like pickpockets and ‘hold-up’ men preying on holiday shoppers.”
This is the scheme’s first year and it has drawn a mixed reception from the residents of the city.
Dennis Perez said: “This serves as a reminder that Christmas is coming and we should have peace.”
However, others were more sceptical of the new scheme.
Jenny de Jesus, a parishioner in the Quiapo district’s Roman Catholic church, said: “The Santa hat is OK, but of course they should focus on their duties.”
But Giovanni Valera, a police officer in the region, claimed: “We are wearing this to show people that during the Christmas season, our hearts and minds are on serving the Philippino people.”
