A new exhibition on the history of crime in Cornwall is opening at the Cornish Studies Library in Redruth.

Organised by Cornwall Council’s Archives and Cornish Studies Service, the Cops 'n' Robbers exhibition will open on Friday October 30 and will look at the murky past of Cornish criminals, as well as the police.

Rarely seen before material from Cornish archives will be in display, such as a register from Bodmin Gaol that gives a glimpse of crime in 19th century Cornwall, including physical descriptions of criminals and sketches of their tattoos.

There will also be a range of fascinating artefacts from the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Heritage Learning resource to illuminate many of the tools and skills used in policing.

The Dandy/Beano cartoonist Nick Brennan will be leading two workshops inspired by the material on display, which will run from 11-12pm and 1.30-2.30pm. Booking is essential by calling: 01209 216 760.

On Saturday, October 20 in the same building a new exhibition A Good Send Off: Death Burial and Everything in Between, will open. A range of historic documents looking at everything from unfortunate accidents to fancy funerals will be on show until December 5 during normal library opening times.

Kim Cooper, Principal Librarian at the Cornish Studies Library, says: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Nick and the police heritage learning resource to the library and think the day will be a really fun and engaging way of learning more about cops and robbers in Cornish history.”