An “extremely heavy” 18th century milestone has been stolen from its roadside location near a country pub in Redbourn.

The milestone is believed to have been stolen between March 15 and March 27 from Watling Street on the A5183 St Albans Road in Redbourn, immediately opposite to The Chequers Pub.

It has only recently been noticed that the milestone is missing.

The milestone is made out of grey stone, is around 3ft tall, extremely heavy and a vehicle would have been needed to transport it.

It is of significant historical interest and would have originally have been installed by the Dunstable-St. Albans-London Turnpike Trust, in the 1700s.

As a result of the monument’s historical significance, the offence is being treated as a heritage crime.

Milestones have been placed along major routes since the Roman times and are placed at strategic points on roads. They indicate the direction of the next habitation or major town or city.

Sandy Ross has lived in Redbourn for 35 years and has a real interest in local history.

He noticed the monument was missing and reported it to police.

He said: “It is a real loss to the local area that another milestone monument has been stolen from Redbourn.

"The monuments are an important part of our local heritage and history. Watling Street was an old Roman road that later became the main road to London and the north West of England.

"There were originally four between St Albans and Redbourn but another one was also stolen a couple of years ago.”

Investigating Officer Sergeant Tom Fisher, said: “The stolen milestone monument is a piece of Redbourn’s heritage and is likely to have been in place for hundreds of years.

“We need to do all we can to ensure the monument is returned to where it rightfully belongs and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen anyone with a vehicle acting suspiciously in the vicinity during the stated times to please contact me.

“I’d also like to hear from anyone who may have been offered the monument for sale or if anyone feels they may know who could be responsible for this crime.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Fisher via the police non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number F2/15/430.