GREEN-FINGERED vandals who made a mess of allotments in The Camp, St Albans, have prompted an appeal for witnesses by local police.

Gardeners have returned to their allotments off Buttermere Close in the last few weeks to discover sheds gutted by fire, plants uprooted, vegetables stolen and water supplies destroyed.

Police have joined forces with St Albans District Council, which manages the site, and members of the public to tighten up security and make regular patrols of the area.

The council's leisure services manager Julie Simpson said: 'It must be demoralising for tenants to see their possessions and hard work ruined by mindless vandals.

'The best way to guard against this is for nearby residents and allotment tenants to report any incidents to the police straight away.'

Anyone with information can call PC Mike Britton in confidence on 01727 796000.