Detectives are hunting for two men who were seen in a black van, moments after a lone woman was targeted in a burglary.

At around 2.45pm yesterday, two white men with their faces covered, smashed their way through the front door of a home in Hazelwood Lane, Abbots Langley, with a hammer.

Inside was one woman – and the two men began threatening her verbally before they stole a safe.

They then fled the house, getting in a black van and heading in the direction of Hunton Bridge.

Police officers say the woman was left shaken. They believe the incident was targeted.

Detective Sergeant Steve Boddy, from the Three Rivers Local Crime Unit, said: “This has left the victim understandably shaken but thankfully she is not physically injured. We have reason to believe that this was a targeted incident and are confident that there is no threat to the wider public.

“The Safer Neighbourhood Team will also be conducting increased patrols in the area in order to offer reassurance to the local community.

“We are now conducting extensive enquiries into this incident and would ask anyone who saw any suspicious activity – in particular a black van leaving the area at speed – to please contact us as soon as possible.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Rob King on robert.king@herts.pnn.police.uk, or call 101 quoting reference 41/26377/19.