A bottle of whiskey, a bag of Cheetos and a set of knitting pins are just some of the gifts Merseyside Police accepted from grateful members of the public over the last year.

Merseyside police's gifts, gratuities and hospitality procedure sets out strict rules to ensure gifts are declared by staff.

Under this procedure, officers and staff "Are required to report any offer of a gift or gratuity, which arise during, or in connection with their employment for Merseyside Police. All gifts and gratuities, whether accepted or not, have to be disclosed."

Some gifts, such as clothes vouchers and cash, were returned, declined or donated to charity.

Boxes of chocolates were the most gifted item for Merseyside Police along with biscuits and flowers.

Among the accepted gifts was £40 from an elderly member of the public who an officer had helped to cross the road.

The pensioner had placed the cash into the officer's body armour without them knowing.

Once discovering the cash, the officer then placed the amount in a collection bucked for an Army Benefit charity while on patrol.

Cakes were also gifted by an anonymous member of the public as officers were assisting the ambulance service with a patient.

The woman, whose identity remains unknown, said: "I am grateful for everything you do for this city."

Some gifts including dinner and event tickets were declined.

Other gifts on the register included:

  • Four packets of polos
  • A box of chocolate carrots for horses
  • Theatre ticket and dinner from Yorkshire Bank
  • Asbestos awareness course
  • A bath set
  • Knitting Book, set of Knitting pins and needle protector
  • A box of Jaffa cakes and mince pies