ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Gangsters, drug dealers and prolific offenders will receive a Christmas card from Abbotsford police featuring an image of Santa Claus clad in tactical gear and bearing the greeting, “Which list will you be on next year?”

Const. Ian MacDonald said he hopes the recipients will choose to be “nice” next year.

“The front of the card is a bit provocative, but it’s designed that way so people will read on and maybe reflect on the decisions they’ve made in the past,” MacDonald said.

The recipients — some known by police to own firearms and other weapons — are asked to consider themselves and their families, and “make a better” lifestyle choice.

Each card includes a phone number that crooks looking for change can call. The calls would be returned on a case-by-case basis and would typically be confidential, MacDonald said.

Police admit they “stole” the idea from United Kingdom police detachments that use the cards to deter shoplifters.