A POLICE force is planning to send joke Christmas cards to wanted lags encouraging them to hand themselves in.
Greater Manchester Police are sending out the festive notes via post with criminals across the region due to receive one but social media users were quick to spot a flaw in the plan.
The force shared an image of the cards they will be distributing amongst lags on social media.
Viewers were quick to spot a crucial flaw in the plan and ridicule the cops for their obvious mistake.
The cards read “All I want for Christmas is… You to hand yourself in” and feature an image of a man in a prison cell.
Inside the festive greetings cards a message reads: “You’re on our wanted list.
“Merry Christmas from all of us at Greater Manchester Police.
“We look forward to seeing you soon.”
Bolton Police shared an image of the cards on social media to inform lags they would be receiving one.
The force said: “Bolton’s most wanted will be receiving an unwanted Christmas card in the post this year.
“The Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have identified the area’s most wanted offenders who are still evading police.
“GMP will be sending out Christmas cards throughout December urging people to hand themselves in.
“Those who choose to ignore our Christmas card can expect a knock on their door and spending Christmas Day with us.”
But social media users were quick to point out one crucial flaw in the force’s festive plan.
Viewers told the force that if cops could send cards to criminals they could just as easily go and arrest them.
One social media user said: “Here’s a bright idea. If you know their address to post the card just go and get them.”
Another replied: “How much has that cost?
“Bet you it be easier and more efficient to hire someone to go and arrest them especially when you got their address.”
A third quipped: “Can I buy some and send it to work colleagues as a prank.”
And another commented: “Not sure showing a picture of a guy looking depressed behind bars is convincing anyone to hand themselves in.”
While viewers made fun of the plan and pointed out the more obvious approach to apprehending the lags, there could be a few important reasons cops are not pursuing the wanted criminals.
It is likely the officers do not have up to date addresses for the lags or enough resources to go and cuff them all.
