Burglars ransacked a sleeping Letchworth woman’s house before demanding passports and gold – and police have today launched an appeal.

The aggravated burglary happened in Ridge Road between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on Monday night, when a group of men broke in through a window and ransacked all the rooms.

They then entered the bedroom – where the victim, a woman in her 60s, was sleeping – and demanded she hand over passports and gold, threatening her with what is described as ‘some kind of spray bottle’.

The intruders then left without taking anything, for reasons a police spokeswoman told the Comet were unclear.

The burglars are described as white men, aged between 25 and 30. It is thought there were three of them.

One had cropped short hair and was wearing a white button-up shirt, tucked into blue jeans.

The other two were wearing dark jackets and baseball caps, with one covering his face – possibly with a scarf.

It is believed that another two men were involved in addition to the three described.

Det Sgt Sarah Gilbertson of the North Herts local crime unit said: “Thankfully the victim was not injured during the incident, but she has understandably been left shaken by the ordeal.

“Incidents such as this are unusual in Letchworth and I want to reassure people we are doing all we can to trace those responsible.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity, or saw men matching the descriptions given, in the area around the times stated to please contact me. It is thought the men were using a silver saloon-type vehicle, possibly an Audi.

“Any information could greatly assist our enquiries.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact the North Herts local crime unit on 101, quoting crime reference G2/17/647.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.