By Ryan Kisiel and Lizzie Edmonds Police arrested three people in central London after thousands of revellers dressed as Father Christmas ran amok. The world-wide internet flash-mob gathering SantaCon, in which strangers agree to meet dressed as Father Christmas before hitting the streets for some festive fun, has been criticised in the past for some revellers getting a little carried away and heavy drinking. This year in London, crowds walked from Marble Arch to Portland Place while singing carols and giving out sweets on Saturday. In trouble: One Santa Claus is led away by police during the annual 'Santa-Con' in central London (left) meanwhile two others feel the love as they hug an officer
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People dressed up as Father Christmas for flash-mob gathering SantaCon - with some getting a little out of hand
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In central London three were arrested for theft, robbery and public order offences during a walk through the streets
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Flash mob has been criticised for heavy drinking as London revellers climbed lampposts, scaffolding and cars
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Meanwhile, similar events also took place across the world including in New York, Vancouver and San Francisco
these festive pictures, one elated @placeholder can be seen jumping in the air