Asian jewellery worth £3,000 was stolen from a house in St Albans earlier this week.

Police are now appealing for witnesses after the burglary took place on Monday in Watford Road.

The victim returned home shortly after 8pm and heard footsteps from the staircase.

Two men ran past him and left through the back of the house.

The victim chased after the two men but they got into a black Volkswagen EOS parked on a grass area outside the house and drove in dirction of the city centre.

The first suspect is described as a black man, aged 30 to 40 years olf, around 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins tall, well built and with very short black hair.

He was wearing a dark T-shirt and black jeans.

The second suspect is described as a white man, aged 30 to 40 years old, of slim build, around 6ft tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Paul Cullinan, who is investigating, said: “These items hold a lot of sentimental value for the victim and I would like to hear from anyone who has been offered Asian jewellery for sale in suspicious circumstances or anyone who knows of the possible whereabouts of the items taken urgently. If you have any information please call me.

“This is a very busy road and I would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened.

“I would particularly appeal to anyone who was drinking outside the Three Hammers pub to contact me.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Cullinan via the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.