A CHRISTMAS campaign featuring Santa’s naughtiest elf has proved to be a hit on social media this December.

Poole Police have nabbed ‘Bad Elf’ in a series of compromising situations in a bid to keep the town’s residents safe, well – and crime-free – this festive season.

The trouble-maker has been photographed drink and drug driving and carrying out lots of anti-social behaviour in places like Poole Park.

Officers say they are using his bad example to warn people to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings over the festive period

Emily Presland, neighbourhood engagement officer for the team, said: “We have focused the initiative on our main issues around Christmas.

“We would quite often put out a Christmas campaign which would include reminders not to leave presents on view for people, for example.

“As part of this campaign, we’ve taken those messages, but used our elf to turn them into more comical posts.”

She said officers have posed the character in well-known local areas.

“We have tried to get a couple of pictures from places which do have some issues with crime and anti-social behaviour, like Poole Park,” she said.

‘Bad elf’ is a serial offender and has been pictured committing crimes daily.

He’s been spotted sneaking into someone’s open window, smoking drugs at the wheel of his red car, throwing a loud house party with his friends and disrupting his neighbours and pretending to be someone else on plentyofelves.com.

Santa’s helper also managed to cling onto someone’s handbag and steal from the unsuspecting lady.

Emily said: “I would say the best post so far has been the one that warned people about who is on the other side of the internet.

“We used plentyofelves.com and gave him a little moustache and people found that quite amusing.

“We do a post every day, and we can confirm there’ll be something happy online for Christmas Day.”

Emily said the idea was born last year after a PCSO posted a picture of the elf. Members of the team have continued the campaign this year.

“It’s been really good, very positive,” she said, It is getting a good reaction and it has increased our followers as well.

“We won’t know if the campaign has had an affect on crime rates until after the Christmas period probably, but generally people are enjoying our posts.”