Thousands of store Santas have been linked to crimes like assault, theft and stalking.

And a Freedom of Information request revealed hundreds have been reported to police since 2022.

They covered everything from assault to anti-social behaviour. One Santa in Dorset was accused of dealing cannabis. Another spooked parents by breaking into a Midlands school playground in his red suit to dish out presents

Leicestershire Police linked another Father Christmas to a hate crime.

READ MORE: First white Christmas since 2010 predicted with exact date snow will fall

Click for more of the latest news from the Daily Star.

Officers in Essex said they received more than 400 calls reporting Santa in the past three years – including for firearms offences.

A solicitor, who didn’t want to be named, warned the Daily Star Sunday: “The offending is so varied you would be better off calling him Saint Nicked.”

The alleged crimes covered everything from assault to anti-social behaviour (stock)

Last year we reported how there was a huge shortage for professional Saint Nicks in the wake of a shocking 33% decline.

Millions of Santas left a ho-ho-hole in the festive economy when they decided to hang up their boots during Covid-19, according to insurance firm Simply Business. And those still going are now struggling to cope with the snowballing demand.

Some desperate grottos are fobbing kids off with teens in fake beards and padded suits, one Father Christmas complained. Steve Townsend, a professional Santa from Surrey, quipped: "Those guys will definitely end up on the naughty list."

One Santa joked: "These guys will end up on the naughty list"

He added: "With there being so few Santas out there, I’m inundated with bookings – but I am also having to travel greater distances, which means mounting petrol bills. Sadly I can only use the sleigh one night per year!"

The worrying trend was revealed in an analysis of more than 900,000 insurance policies held by Simply Business customers. It also found the number of Christmas tree sellers in Britain has dropped by 54% over the last five years.

But despite these gaps in the festive supply chain, our demand for Christmas cheer has never been stronger. Allan Evans, a professional Santa from Porthcawl, donates all his festive earnings to homelessness charity Emmaus South Wales.