HUNDREDS of less privileged children across the city have had Christmas come a little early, thanks to the efforts of neighbourhood police.
In early November, the city centre neighbourhood team, based at Charles Cross police station, hit upon the idea of giving a little back to the young people of Plymouth who perhaps were not as fortunate as others.
Operation Elf was borne out of a feeling by the small team that some of those they encountered during their daily and nightly work may have little in the way of Christmas cheer to look forward to, due to their sad and difficult circumstances.
A/Sgt Tom Ottley said that the idea came about during a briefing where it was suggested officers could perhaps “do something nice” for children.
He said: “We initially thought about getting some donations of toys and books, having them bagged up and offering maybe a hundred or two hundred bags of presents at best.
“But after launching Operation Elf people, businesses, schools and others have really got behind it and we've probably put together 400 to 450 bags which have been handed out over the last few weeks.
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