POLICE have teamed up with Northumberland County Council to find those responsible for removing 'important' wildlife road signs around Hexham.

The two bodies were alerted to the removal of the toad signs earlier this month and have called it an 'unnecessary act of vandalism'.

The signs were created and organised to be placed around Northumberland last year to alert drivers to slow down due to toads and other wildlife crossing the roads during migration season at this time of year.

Although some of the signs have been recovered, an investigation has been launched to find out who removed them.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the complaint and we will be working alongside the council to identify anyone who is responsible.

"Anyone with information can contact us via the 'Report' page of our website or by calling 101, quoting reference number NP-20240316-0249."

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: “The majority of the signs have been recovered and put back in place. They are temporary and important signs to alert drivers and the public to make them aware of toads crossing the road to ponds for the migration season. 

“The removal of the signs is an unnecessary act of vandalism, and the matter has been reported to the Police who are investigating.”