Police are warning elderly people in Borehamwood to look out for doorstep conmen after the attempted burglary of a pensioner living near Furzehill Road.

Two men knocked on the door and asked the pensioner to let them in, but the 80-year-old refused and they drove off in a large silver saloon car.

The first would-be thief was very thin but smartly dressed, around 20-years-old, white, 5ft 6ins tall, with an oval face and dark hair. He wore a woollen jersey.

His accomplice was also white, around 20-years-old, with a medium build and bushy curly hair that was thinning on top.

Det Con Dave Powell from Hertfordshire Constabulary's anti-distraction burglary Operation Manhunt said: "We would like to take this opportunity to once again remind homeowners of the importance of keeping their door chain on at all times, and only allowing people in when they are entirely convinced that they are who they say they are.

"These criminals are very persuasive and plausible and we are calling upon residents, their families and carers, to take precautions against them."

Police advise people to lock their doors at all times, use door chains or door bars, ask what the caller wants and demand identification, use the telephone to check the identification with the caller's company, and refuse entry to anybody who seems suspicious.