Police are searching for two men who broke into a woman’s home and stole several items of gold jewellery by pretending to be undercover officers.

The men forced their way in through the back door of a house in Ashley Drive, Borehamwood, at around 10.30pm on Friday, June 9.

This woke the victim, a woman in her 30s, and she went downstairs to find the offenders in the house.

They claimed to be undercover police officers who needed to search the property but when she asked them for identification, they threatened her and forced her to stay in a bedroom while they searched the house.

They took a 22 carat gold wedding chain and several other items of gold jewellery before leaving.

The first man is described as white, of slim build, aged 25 to 35 and around 6ft tall.

He had a stubbly ginger beard and was wearing a grey Adidas tracksuit.

The second man is described as white, of slim build, aged 20 to 30 and around 5ft 8in tall.

He had black hair and was wearing black trousers and a black jacket.

Detective Sergeant Dave Smith, from the Local Crime Unit, warned that “genuine” police officers will always identify themselves by producing a warrant card.

He said: “This was an understandably distressing incident for the victim, who was left shaken but uninjured by her ordeal.

“The wedding chain is of great sentimental value to her and we appeal to anyone who may have been offered one like it for sale in recent days to please contact us.

“If you saw two men matching the description above in the area nearby around the time stated, please get in touch.

“Genuine police officers will identify themselves by producing a warrant card. Plain-clothed officers will not mind waiting whilst you call the non-emergency number 101 to check their identities.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please call DS Smith on the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number J1/17/2464.