In June a large group of travellers who caused “considerable shock and upset” were moved on from Sandridge Road in Bernards Heath.

St Albans District Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary were made aware of the encampment and social media people reported the issue since the travellers turned up.

Marshalswick ward cllr Helen Campbell said: “This is a well-loved and well-used community asset and beauty spot which a lot of local residents go to great lengths to look after, together with the council, and it is very upsetting to see it abused like this.”

Vandals threw stones at the windows of a historic Roman artefact in Verulamium Park.

Staff at St Albans Museum found smashed windows at the hypocaust and believed flint rocks were used to cause damage.

Glass fragments and debris landed on the mosaic and exposed parts of the ancient underfloor heating.

It was described as a "mindless act of vandalism” and police in St Albans launched an investigation.

Daniel Gilbert, 23, of Hyde View Road, Harpenden was jailed after he shook a baby such force it left the child with permanent brain damage.

Mr Gilbert was caring for the seven-week-old baby at an address in Bedfordshire on August 9, 2017 when the boy became floppy, started bleeding and went into cardiac arrest.

Emergency services resuscitated the baby at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, but scans found he had suffered a bleed to the brain.

He also suffered bleeding to the retinas of both of his eyes and was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for specialist care.