Three balaclava-clad men armed with baseball bats threatened a woman in her own home in Harpenden.

The men stole a safe after threatening the woman while her parents had gone out for evening on Saturday, May 14.

The men forced their way into the home on The Common before they stole a heavy safe and the victim’s car – a brown Honda 4X4 with the registration number plate 8PXB.

Detective Sergeant Karen Lewis, who is investigating, said: “Thankfully the victim was unharmed by the men but she was understandably very shaken up by the frightening ordeal.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw a brown Honda 4X4 with the registration number 8PXB in the area following the offence to get in touch. We believe the vehicle, which is distinctive because of its colour, may have had fake number plates fitted to it.

“We also believe that the offenders arrived at the location in another vehicle and parked some distance away from the address, so I would also like to speak to anyone who saw three white men acting suspiciously in the area prior to the offence.

“This type of crime is unusual in Harpenden and I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that we are working hard to identify and arrest these offenders.”