Barnet Police have been left baffled by a bizarre incident that took place yesterday afternoon.

Police are appealing for information after two foreign women pushed their way into an elderly couple’s home, asked them to write a note, and then offered them £1.22 and a pink nightdress as compensation.

At 3.20pm yesterday the couple were entering their home in Friern Park when a woman, described as of large build and speaking in a foreign language, pushed her way into the house.

This woman was then joined by a second foreign woman who also entered the house.

The women herded the elderly couple into the kitchen and asked them to write a note to a person called Maria.

The women then proceeded to have a heated argument with each other in a foreign language.

The elderly couple told them to leave at which point the women offered them £1.22 and a pink nightdress as compensation.

The elderly victims tried to push them out of the house but when one of the women pushed back the elderly husband fell over.

He was lucky to escape uninjured.

The women then tried to leave the house but could not escape as one of them had previously put the front door chain on.

However, the elderly wife undid the chain and the women left the scene.

Nothing was stolen from the house and the elderly couple were shaken but uninjured.

The first woman was described as eastern European with a dark complexion and about 45-years-old.

She was of large build and wearing a dark skirt and top and carrying a large bag. She had makeup smudges under her eyes.

The second woman was also of eastern European appearance, slightly smaller and with a lighter complexion.

She is thought to have been between 40 and 45-years-old and was wearing a light brown coat with a belt.

Officer in the case Alex Dunmore said: "This was a very strange incident that has caused alarm and distress to an elderly couple.

“Thankfully no one was hurt and nothing was stolen, but we would like to trace the two women about this incident; not least to ensure that this does not happen again.

“If anyone was in the area and saw this couple or can shed any light on the matter Barnet Police would like to speak to them."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.