Three burglars left a resident distressed after they broke in through their front door before fleeing.

Between 6pm and 7pm on December 10, the trio broke used a jemmy to break into the home in The Harebreaks.

However, they were unable to take anything after a resident confronted one of them and they ran away.

Hertfordshire Constabulary have today (December 21) issued an appeal for witnesses and information.

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The suspect who was confronted was described as a white man in his early 30s who was around 5ft 6ins and of a medium build. He wore a black long-sleeved top with a red logo on the arm, blue jeans, and a black ski mask.

Another was described as white, in his early 20s, around 5ft 10ins and of a medium build with long, light brown hair. He wore a black beanie, a dark long-sleeved jumper and blue jeans.

The third was white, in his 20s, around 5ft 6 and of a medium build. He was also wearing a long-sleeved black top, blue jeans and a black ski mask.

Detective Sergeant Ayodeji Afolabi said: "This was a distressing incident for the victim, we have been investigating the circumstances of what happened and are now appealing for anyone else with information to come forward.

“I’d like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious, or captured anything on a doorbell camera, in The Harebreaks around the time of the incident."

Read more: Hundreds of burglaries in Watford – but just eight people charged

Anyone with information is asked to email ayodeji.afolabi@herts.police.uk or call 101 quoting crime reference 41/100250/22.

Up to November this year, there had been 294 burglaries in Watford with eight people charged, according to police figures. That compares to 282 for the full previous year and 14 charges.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “We have been focussing on reducing acquisitive crime, which includes burglary, for several years, by conducting regular campaigns to provide residents with crime prevention advice and warnings about crime trends.

“In addition to targeting those involved in burglary, we also ensure that victims of crime are provided with burglary prevention and home security packs to help prevent them becoming repeat victims.”