BROMSGROVE police are calling on the public to help them trace some of their 'most wanted' people in the run up to Christmas.

The names and faces of wanted people will be released on social media over the next couple of weeks for the 'Wanted in Worcestershire' campaign.

Many of those wanted are strongly linked to persistent retail crime and the aim is to bring them to justice and reduce further offending during the Christmas period.

A gallery on the Advertiser website will update with the pictures which are part of Operation Yuletide, which readers can click through above.

PC Dave Wise, who initiated the campaign, said: "We're asking for members of the public to support us in locating individuals who are currently wanted for failing to appear at court or for whom a warrant for arrest has been issued.

"Many of these wanted persons are linked to retail crime in Worcestershire and are evading capture so it is important to bring them before the court in order to reduce the risk of further offending.

"This is a key time of year for local traders and we will continue to do all we can to reduce the impact of retail related crime.

"We would also encourage those wanted individuals to hand themselves in to their local police station at the earliest opportunity."

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said social media had helped with campaigns for missing people and they hoped it would have the same effect for Wanted in Worcestershire.

He said: "We know from our use of social media that people do respond to it and pass us information.

"This has been useful for missing people and some of our national campaigns.

"This Wanted in Worcestershire campaign seeks to use social media in the same way.

"We will continue to use old and new ways of doing our role.

"I would encourage anyone who knows they are wanted on warrant to give themselves up.

"The alternative is to be arrested around Christmas and spend time in police cells when there are limited court settings."

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of any of the individuals should call police on 101 quoting Worcestershire Wanted.