PERSISTENT criminals across eastern Cheshire will be receiving a very special message from police this year.

Long-term offenders, who are currently not serving prison sentences, are being sent Christmas cards with an image of a prison-style Christmas dinner served on a red plastic tray emblazoned on the front.

The message inside reads ‘Christmas time, no mistletoe or wine, dinner bell ringing, you’re doing time’.

The scheme is to remind persistent offenders that they are under police observation.

Assistant chf con David Baines said: “A number of people have come to our attention over the past year through the crimes they have committed – we want them to know they remain in our thoughts over the Christmas and New Year period.

“The cards are meant as a reminder to these individuals that we will continue to monitor their activity.”

Burglars, car criminals and violent offenders will all find the cards land on their doormats before Christmas Eve.

Det Insp Nigel Groom added: “It’s an old adage that a very small percentage of the population commits a very high percentage of overall crime.

“We need to let them know that we are looking over their shoulder and that they can never relax, whatever the time of year.”