A HANGMAN'S box, used by Bradford-born executioner Albert Pierrepoint, is the focal point of the latest exhibition at the Bradford Police Museum.

The box, which contains the executioner's paraphernalia including rope, noose, restraints and cap, is thought to have been used in the hangings of serial killer John Christie and Derek Bentley, who was hanged for the murder of a police officer but pardoned 45 years after his death.

It is believed to be the only one in existence and is now taking pride of place at the museum's summer exhibition, 'Shadow of the Noose, the story of Bradford's Hangmen.' The exhibition features the stories of famous hangmen, including the Pierrepoint family and former Bradford police officer James Berry.

The box was kept at Wandsworth Prison from the 1950s and its contents were used by Albert Pierrepoint, and other hangmen, until the abolition of the death penalty in the 1960s. The box would be moved from prison to prison and the procedures for carrying out executions were strictly laid down.

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The exhibit has been loaned to the police museum by the Galleries of Justice Museum in Nottingham which houses the prison service's historical collection.

Museum director Martin Baines said: "One of our volunteers, Allan Cox, came across the box while researching the history of Bradford's famous hangmen in the Galleries of Justice Museum. Due to the link with Albert Pierrepoint and our special 'Shadow of the Noose' exhibition, they very kindly agreed to lend us the box and its contents for our temporary display.

"We are delighted and privileged to be able to exhibit such a significant and important item and we hope the people of Bradford will take the opportunity to come and see it."

The museum is open for general admission every Friday, between 11am and 3pm, and every Saturday between noon and 4pm.

The museum is located in Bradford City Hall and provides a unique insight into the history of policing, criminal justice, civic enforcement and the development of crime and punishment in Bradford from the early 19th century onwards.

It is situated on the site of the original 19th century police station in City Hall which was operational between 1874 and 1974. The museum gallery covers the history of policing from the inception of the Bradford Borough Police force in 1848 up to the present day.

Visits to the museum include guided tours of the original Victorian cells and court built in 1873 which formed part of the original police station.

Visitors can stand in the police cell that the famous escapologist Harry Houdini escaped from, and climb the dock steps Victorian courtroom.

Victorian police truncheons, uniforms, swords, weapons, memorabilia, crime scene exhibits and unique photographs covering 150 years of policing in the city are on display.