Christmas shoppers can pick up the latest crimefighting gadgets for free as neighbourhood policing officers turn Santa for the festive season.

The Home and Away campaign will see officers handing out timer switches and low-energy lightbulbs, to help people keep their homes safe from burglars, as well as electronic handbag alarms to protect shoppers from purse thieves.

From 9am on Saturday, officers will be at the Owlcotes Centre, Pudsey, where they will give away hundreds of items.

They will also be on hand to offer crime prevention advice.

Sergeant Paul Cliffe, who organised the campaign and secured funding from local businesses, said: “We want everyone to have a great festive season but unfortunately thieves don’t enter into the spirit of the season of goodwill.

“Our gift to local people this year is to help them avoid becoming victims of burglars at home or purse thieves while they are out doing their Christmas shopping.

“These simple but very effective measures can really make the difference in deterring thieves.”