Two thieves tried to break into a home until they were scared off by a woman in her 50s.

Between 5.20pm and 5.25pm on Sunday, January 27, a property in Sandy Lane, Northwood, was broken into.

A woman living at the house heard a noise as her front door was being forced open.

When she went to see what the noise was and found two thieves dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.

She shouted at the pair, ultimately scaring them off, the thieves then drove away in a silver BMW.

Officers investigating the aggravated burglary are appealing for witnesses or for anyone with information to get in contact.

Detective Constable Paul Burton from the Three Rivers Local Crime Unit said: “We are working hard to track down these offenders and while this work is on-going we have stepped up patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.

“I would like to stress that this is an isolated incident and aggravated burglaries are very unusual in this area.

“The victim, who was not hurt during the incident, is being provided with support from officers.”

Anyone who believes they saw what happened should email paul.burton@herts.pnn.police.uk or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 41/8871/19.