A German Santa turned crime buster when he leaped into action and chased two shoplifters before subduing them.

The 52-year-old Santa Claus, Dieter Thurn, was sitting in a department store in Bremen when he saw the two suspects, aged 20 and 23, filling their rucksacks with expensive cosmetics.

Thurn immediately chased the pair and managed to subdue them while waiting for the police to arrive.

A shopper identified as six-year-old Daniel Ingeborg, who was visiting the store with his mother, described the incident, "Santa's so cool. He gives presents and fights crime. He's like Superman but better."