Vandals have mindlessly caused £2,000 of damage by destroying about 20 street signs in Harpenden.

Herts Advertiser: One of the damaged road signs.Picture: SADCOne of the damaged road signs.Picture: SADC (Image: Archant)

Targeted street name plates include Townsend Lane, Tuffnells Way and Roundwood Lane.

The thugs snapped the wooden-backing before bending the metal name out of shape and discarding the debris nearby.

Portfolio holder for business and the community, Cllr Beric Read, said: “We want to catch the people responsible for this spate of criminal damage and put an end to it.

“This is a senseless and anti-social crime that costs council taxpayers money and is of great annoyance to the residents of the affected areas. I urge people to help the police with their inquiries.”

The district council will have to fork out the money for repairs.

St Albans Ch Insp Shane O’Neill said: “We are investigating criminal damage to a number of street name signs in Harpenden.

“If anyone has any information about who may be responsible or has any footage of the people carrying out the criminal damage, we would like to hear from you.

“This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Together, we can help make Harpenden a safer place to live.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.