Suspected criminals will be getting a special Christmas greeting this year - from North Yorkshire Police.

Officers have designed an unusual Yuletide card for wanted offenders who have so far avoided arrest for offences from breach of bail to theft. It carries the message: "Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and hoping that we can find time for you to join us."

Chief Inspector Andy Bell said it is "not a question of if, but when" officers will catch up with wanted people. He said: "Many of the people that we're sending cards to have been sentenced by the courts and punished for offences in the community.

"They have a debt to society and may owe hours of time for a community punishment, and we want to ensure that's paid.

"It's all part of our drive to disrupt criminals and take those who are wanted off the streets and that will happen whether it is Christmas or not."

More than 2,600 arrests have already been arrested as part of Operation Delivery across North Yorkshire with an extra 888 in the central area alone.

On just one day this week an extra 30 suspects were brought in to Fulford Police Station as part of the drive to improve front-line performance.

The card asks the question: "Where do you want to spend Christmas?" It offers people the opportunity to be dealt with before Christmas by getting in touch with the police.

The novel seasonal approach follows the success of a leaflet left at the homes of wanted lawbreakers, which brought excellent results as many individuals hurried to hand themselves in.

Updated: 10:50 Thursday, December 11, 2003