A man dressed as Father Christmas was spoken to by police after handing out Christmas cards containing £10 notes to homeless people.

Outlaw, a music producer and social activist, wore a mask to hand out the gifts to rough sleepers in Manchester city centre.

He filmed his gesture for a video published to his Instagram account, which ends in him being put into the back of a police van.

Greater Manchester Police have told Metro.co.uk that he was not arrested and no offences were committed but two people were spoken to about approaching members of the public.

A spokesman said those spoken to were co-operative with police.

The video, filmed on 17 December, begins with the masked Father Christmas sitting by an open fire filling Christmas cards with £10 notes.

He then hands out the cards to a series of men and women, some who are visibly moved by the gesture.

In a caption alongside the clip on his Instagram page, Outlaw wrote: ‘Might not believe me but giving could be one of the best things you receive this year.

‘If you can’t help 100 people, help one. We all know the government won’t.

‘Goin out a few more times, look out for Father Outlaw ova Christmas (sic).’

Outlaw said he made 50 cards with a £10 note in but only managed to hand out 35 before police arrived.

He said he wanted to fight the ‘heart-breaking assumption’ that the money would he gave out would be spent on drugs.

He added: ‘One lady spent £5 on a coat to keep her dog warm.’

This isn’t Outlaw’s first stunt on the streets of Manchester. Earlier this year he gave out £800 worth of marijuana in Piccadilly Gardens.

And last month he was dragged from his car by armed officers while making a music video.

He and a passenger were arrested following reports of two men in balaclavas acting suspiciously in a black Range Rover in Manchester.

The pair were searched and handcuffed on suspicion of terrorism offences but later released without charge.

Police said the men ‘failed to provide a reasonable explanation for their behaviour’.

A search of their car found a replica police uniform and replica police equipment but police later concluded the incident was not terrorism-related.

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