A special Christmas statue at St Albans Abbey station has been vandalised.

Herts Advertiser: What was left of the Nutcracker Trail soldier at Abbey station after BID removed the vandalised statue.What was left of the Nutcracker Trail soldier at Abbey station after BID removed the vandalised statue. (Image: Archant)

St Albans Business Improvement District (BID) has removed the Nutcracker soldier statue after it was damaged last night.

BID organised the statues for their Nutcracker Trail, and BID manager Helen Burridge said: “This is a senseless and silly act of needless vandalism.

“Local businesses funded the Nutcracker Trail through their contributions to St Albans BID and we are all upset by what has happened.

“We will be removing the nutcracker for the time being and it will be replaced before the weekend.

“If anyone has any information to contribute to the police’s investigation of this criminal damage, please get in touch with them.

“Let’s not give those responsible any further attention. We can continue to celebrate the trail and the festive cheer it brings!

“#stalbansnutcrackertrail will live to see another day!”

British Transport Police said its officers are aware of the incident, having been called at 11.13am today.

Officers are investigating the crime and are appealing for anyone with any information to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 citing reference number 170 of 29/11.