Birmingham police, perched atop a giant red sleigh, delivered Christmas cheer to children throughout the city.

Thursday and Friday, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond and other officers visited dozens of neighborhoods in all of the city’s four precincts, tossing toys to excited young children.

“We look forward to this every year,’’ said Lt. Reva Palmer. “We’ve been working on this for the past two months.”

Police were armed with hundreds of toys. The toys were donated through a police toy drive and by officers themselves.

With lights and sirens blaring, the sleigh traveled through east and south Birmingham neighborhoods on Thursday. Friday saw Santa and gang going to neighborhoods in north and west Birmingham.

The Birmingham Police Department has been broadcasting the giveaway live on its Facebook page.

“We love giving back to the children,’’ Palmer said.

Thurmond said while police enjoy the event themselves, the focus is on the community and the kids.

“That’s what Christmas is all about – giving back,’’ he said. “The police are here to serve them and protect them and we want to make sure they have a fantastic holiday.”

“The key is to let them know the police are here to help them,’’ he said. “We’re not their enemy.”

“We were all children once and got to enjoy that,” Thurmond said, “and we want to make sure every child enjoys that here in our city this year.”