The owners of a farm in St Albans have been left distressed after the carcass of a sheep which had recently given birth to twin lambs was left hanging in a tree.

Police in St Albans have appealed for information after the ewe was killed and butchered in a field at Hedges Farm, on the A414 North Orbital Road.

The offender(s) then hung the sheep carcass from the tree in the woods next to the road having removed all the viable meat between 6pm last Wednesday (23) and 9am on Thursday.

The field runs alongside the A414 between the London Colney and Park Street roundabouts, adjacent to a slip road where lorries pull in overnight.

Pc Jane Flemons from the Harpenden and Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “This was very distressing for the owners [as] the sheep had recently given birth to two lambs. We are keen to trace the person or people responsible.

“Although the property is not over-looked, it is on the side of the busy A414.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously during the time the sheep was killed or know who may be responsible, please get in touch with us.”

Herts Police can be phoned on non-emergency number 101.