Two sheds were broken into and a chainsaw was stolen in Baldock at the weekend at the site of town allotments in Wallington Road.

In the first instance, a locked shed was prized open and a messy search carried out before thieves stole a chainsaw and ran away in an unknown direction.

The crime took place at some point between 5pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.

In the second theft, an unlocked shed was opened and objects were moved around between the hours of 7pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.

Mick Camp, chairman of Baldock Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association, said: “The main issue is the cost of this type of vandalism. Repairs to the damage of the shed can be expensive, it’s not just about what has been taken. Allotments are targeted by thieves and vandals once or twice a year sporadically. It makes you feel quite unsettled.”

Anyone with information should call Herts police on non-emergency number 101.