Police are appealing for witnesses and information following an attempted robbery that occurred in Wheathampstead on Monday.

Between 4.15pm and 4.30pm the victim, a woman in her 70s, had been walking her dog along Lower Luton Road when a black saloon car with three men and one woman inside pulled up next to her.

The woman in the car asked for directions to the hospital and then placed a ring in the victim’s hand before trying to take the victim’s rings from her fingers. She wasn’t able to take anything and the car was driven off towards Wheathampstead.

Detective Constable Claire Wright from the Local Crime Unit at St Albans Police Station is investigating and said: "I would like to hear from anyone who was either walking their dog or driving along the Lower Luton Road at that time and who saw the vehicle being driven or stopped. I would also like to ask residents in the area to be careful if you are approached in these circumstances and report any suspicious activity."

Anyone with information call the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number F2/14/1490.