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

The raiders struck at the Police and Prison Museum in Ripon, North Yorkshire 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.

"Any theft is traumatic but it seems more ironic when they steal something which is used to curtail the freedom of thieves, Ralph Lindley, a former North Yorkshire Police officer with 27 years service and vice president of the Ripon Museum Trust, which covers the museum said.

"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's 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 and security at the museum will have to be reviewed."

The museum is housed in the old Liberty Prison dating from 1816-78 which was then Ripon Police Station until 1959.

The theft took place between 11am-3pm last Saturday when the museum was open.

Thieves broke into a ground floor cabinet holding the belts and a first floor cabinet for the handcuffs. Tools would have been used to get into the cabinets.

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

A set of Hiatt model 2050 ratchet handcuffs complete 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 the West Yorkshire Police.

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

Two men are being sought by North Yorkshire Police in connection with the incident.

The first is aged about 45, 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build with cropped fair hair. The other is 40, 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with short dark hair and he was wearing a khaki top.

Anyone with information should call the police on 0845-6060-247 or the museum on 01765-690799.