Merseyside multi-agency operation to secure reindeer which escaped from local Christmas event

Police helicopter footage shows an escaped reindeer on Formby Beach in Merseyside on Saturday November 29.

Southport Quads say they were tasked with assisting in the search for the escaped reindeer on the beach, missing for several hours from a local Christmas event in Formby.

As it became dark, Merseyside Police who had been tracking the animal lost sight of it. The quad team and coastguard teams from HM Coastguard Southport and HM Coastguard Crosby were called out to help.

Using thermal binoculars, the quad team located the reindeer on the beach. Although capture proved difficult, the team successfully shepherded the animal into the sand dunes at Altcar Rifle Range, where a police drone maintained watch.

The reindeer eventually settled, allowing a vet, supported by Royal Marines, to safely secure it.

Posting to X, the National Police Air Service North West Region said: “NPAS Barton save Christmas! Overnight our Barton crew have officially declared it’s Christmas after assisting Rudolph back home after he got lost on a little trip around the Formby / Hightown area. He’ll now have a good rest before helping Santa and his sleigh on the 24th.”

In an update, the service said: “Buddy who is now recorded on police systems under his seasonal name of ‘Rudolph’ is all good and resting back home.”