A magician is appealing for help after thieves swiped his beloved tailor-made straitjacket.
The unique prop, with connections to famed escapologist Houdini, belonged to Malcolm Norton, who has been a professional magician since he was 21.
It was specially made for the now 62-year-old, who regularly used it for stage shows.
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The straitjacket was displayed outside Mr Norton’s shop, which is described as the world’s smallest magic and joke store, for 10 years.
Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for information about the item after it was taken from Top Secret Magic store, in Plymouth, Devon at about 4.16pm on Saturday (24 August).
CCTV footage shows two men looking at it.
Then one of them – in a black Hugo Boss shorts and t-shirt with a baseball – lifts it up and walks away.
“Should anyone see someone running through the Barbican with a straitjacket can you let me know,” Mr Norton told Need To Know.
“The one that has sat outside my shop for the last 10 years has just been stolen.
“I have no real idea why.
“I think it looks like they intended to steal it.
“But it’s an item of curiosity and fascination.
“I often hear people talk about it outside.
“Many ask if it’s for sale.
“It could have been a dare or challenge or just they’d like to have a straitjacket.
“After all it’s stood there for 10 years.
“It was made to measure for me by a man who used to make straitjackets for the top escape artists back in the day.
“This one was made about 30 years ago.
“It cost about £300 then.
“The man who made it founded one of the biggest fetish companies but is no longer with us.
“He was a big Harold Houdini fan.
“If I had this remade today it would cost a lot.
“I used it for the closing of my act for many years until I out grew it.
“Since then it was used in Houdini the musical in Bristol, has been in a friend’s act while cruising the Caribbean and also used by several different students in various university projects.
“As someone said to me this morning, ‘I can’t see if you’re in now, I have to come and look.
“Before I knew you were there if the jacket was out.”
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: “Police are investigating a report of a theft on Southside Street, Plymouth at around 4.25pm on August 4.
“It was reported that a person took a straitjacket from outside of a shop and left the area.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via our website quoting reference 50240214556.”
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