In terms of making an impact, police in the Vale of White Horse have pretty much got it sussed.

Police officers will be dropping in on crooks on December 25 to check they are safely at home and not up to no good.

The idea is the brainchild of the man in charge of policing in the Vale, Chief Inspector Andy Boyd, who said the visit is designed to remind criminals they are being watched.

In the past, crooks have been given birthday cakes on their special day.

Does it work? Seems to.

Between April 2009 and March 2010, 5,076 crimes were committed, down 16 per cent on last year.

So, on Christmas Day, his officers will call in on a handful hard core regular offenders.

Imagine the scene with the family gathered... then comes a knock at the door.

Too much? Should – just for a day – even criminals be given a breather?

We don’t think so. There could be no better time to show that, even on Christmas Day, the eye of the law is fixed firmly on troublemakers.

It is not going to be a popular policy. But, frankly, who cares? Were robbers and burglars thinking of anyone else when they committed their crimes?

A hefty pat on the back for Chief Inspector Boyd and his team.

So, be warned, it may not be just Santa coming down the chimney.