A homeowner came face-to-face with a burglar after a break-in in Mill End yesterday evening.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said two men smashed a patio door after going into the back garden of a property in West Way just before 5pm.

The homeowners were home at the time and one was downstairs. When the thieves saw the homeowners, they ran away from the property.

Both men are described as white, aged between 18 and 25, of slim build and around 5ft 6ins tall. Both were wearing baseball caps, chequered scarves and gloves. One was wearing a blue quilted Barbour jacket.

Detective Constable Paul Burton from the Rickmansworth Local Crime Unit is investigating and said: “It’s believed the offenders rang the doorbell prior to the break-in and it’s possible they may have tried ringing at other doors before this.

"I would therefore like to speak with anyone who had any unusual callers or had anyone knock on their door around the stated time.

“This occurred during the day and the men would have had to run along West Way and so it’s possible someone may have remembered seeing people matching their description in the area. If you did see something, please contact me.”

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident is asked to contact DC Burton via Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C2/15/2064.

If you have any information about this incident you can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.