An appeal has been launched today to trace a man who threatened an elderly woman at her Stevenage home after she told two children to stop playing football outside her window.

The 76-year-old woman had asked a girl and a boy – aged about nine and 12 – to move their football game away from her house in Ascot Crescent as she was worried they may hit her window.

Although the children eventually left the area, they returned a few minutes later in the company of a man.

He went to the lady’s door to remonstrate with her in an aggressive manner, before threatening her.

Following the threats, which took place at about 5.45pm on Saturday July, 4, police are now appealing for witnesses.

The man is described as white, aged around 50, 6ft 4in tall, of large build with a ruddy complexion, short dark hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a white T-shirt and dark coloured shorts at the time, and is believed to often walk a black dog around

PC Darryl Hancock, who is investigating the incident, said: “I would like to trace this man, as this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.

“Residents are well within their rights to ask children to play away from their homes without fear of being threatened as a consequence. I need to address this matter to resolve any misunderstanding around the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Hancock on 101.