Police are hunting for masked robbers who broke into a St Albans woman’s home and attacked her with a screwdiver while she was with her young child.

Two men broke into the home in Vesta Avenue at around 10pm on September 24, pretending to be police officers, and threatened the woman who was with her young child.

One of the men, who had his head and face covered, assaulted the woman with a screwdriver.

They then searched the property and stole a large quantity of jewellery.

Detective constable Tony Kong from the Local Crime Unit said: “This was an unusually aggressive burglary and we are doing everything we can to trace the men responsible.

“If you saw anything suspicious on Monday night, have been offered cheap jewellery for sale or know who may be responsible, please get in touch with us.”

One of the men is described as being of slim build, around 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall and aged in his 20s.

He was wearing a black hat, jacket and gloves, and had the bottom of his face covered.

He also had a black bag across his shoulder, with tools in it.

The second man is described as white and about 5ft 5in tall.

He had a baseball cap on his head, but his face was uncovered.

He was unshaven, of a medium to large build and he was wearing a brown jacket.

• Anyone with any information, call the emergency number 101 or report information online at https://www.herts.police.uk/Report quoting reference 41/40065/18.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.