A Maastricht man had a fright on December 5 when he found a gun complete with a box of ammunition on his doorstep, prompting him to contact police.

‘We immediately went tot he address to secure the weapon,’ the local force wrote on Facebook.

After questioning the man and establishing that he had never been the object of threats, the police discovered that the gun and the ammunition were made of chocolate.

The man was not happy with his gift and gave it voluntarily to the police. ‘We have a tip for Sinterklaas, leave a chocolate letter next time,’ police said.