THIEVES are on the run after they stole two sets of historic handcuffs from a police museum.

The raiders struck at the Police and Prison Museum in Ripon, making off with the antique restraints, which were in boxes and worth £25 each, and two police belts, worth £200 each.

The theft, which took place on Saturday, has prompted an immediate review of security at the museum.

Museum spokesman Ralph Lindley said: "Any theft is traumatic, but it seems more ironic when they steal something which is used to curtail the freedom of thieves.

"I think they had been before to suss the place out, and then they came back posing as normal day-trippers.

"These belts are irreplaceable to us, and the handcuffs are rare too. It is possible the items were stolen to order, as there were other rarer items close by left untouched.

"We are keeping an eye on eBay in case they go on there."

The museum is in the Liberty Prison, which was used from 1816 to 1878. It became Ripon police station until 1959.

The theft took place between 11am and 3pm on Saturday.

Thieves broke into a ground-floor cabinet containing the belts, and a first-floor cabinet containing the handcuffs.

The handcuffs were a chrome-plated Hiatt model 101 Darby style with a key and blue and white box, dating from 1960.

A set of Hiatts model 2050 ratchet handcuffs with key and box were also taken.

One of the belts belonged to the mounted section of the former North Riding Constabulary.

The force was disbanded in 1942 and the leather belt with a metal badge is thought to be the only one in existence.

The other belt was worn by the former mounted section of the Bradford City Police, which disbanded in 1974 with the creation of West Yorkshire Police.

The belt had a rear pouch with a chrome boar's head on it and the word Bradford underneath.

Two men are being sought. The first is about 45, 5ft 8in, stocky, and has cropped fair hair. The other is 40, 5ft 10in, slim with short dark hair and wore a khaki top.

Call police on 0845-60-60-247.