DEVELOPMENTS in the police force over the past 200 years were highlighted to a royal visitor yesterday.

The Duke of Kent visited the Prison and Police Museum, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, to help volunteers celebrate the museum trust's silver jubilee.

The Duke was given a tour of the museum, which boasts the largest collection of police memorabilia in the North of England.

He was then shown the latest North Yorkshire Police concept car.

The vehicle is fitted with automatic number plate recognition, a digital security camera, digital mapping equipment and a host of other gadgets.

The Duke was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable Della Cannings also attended the event.

Ripon Museum Trust was formed in 1981 at the instigation of Ripon Civic Society.

It runs three law and order museums in the town.

Last year, the team of 46 volunteers welcomed more than 20,000 visitors.