Children's favourite Cookie Monster may soon need a licence.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio said he believes people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated. Dozens dressed as TV and film characters such as Elmo, Cookie Monster and Batman stand near 42nd Street and pose for photos with tourists in exchange for money.

Mr De Blasio said the practice had "gone too far" after a man dressed as Spider-Man was arrested for allegedly punching a police officer who told him to stop harassing tourists.

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