A burglar fled after he was spooked by a barking dog.

The man tried to force open a window to a home in Garden House Lane, off Redbourn Road, St Albans, on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, described as white, wearing a hoodie, and carrying a rucksack also tried to climb onto a roof but he ran scared when a neighbour’s dog began barking loudly.

He fled into the garden, snatching a metal bird feeder pole before making off.

The attempted break-in is believed to have happened between 2.40pm and 2.50pm.

Detective Constable Tony Kong said: “I am keen to hear from anyone who lives in the area and may have seen any suspicious activity on the afternoon of the offence.”

Anyone with information can contact Constable Kong at tony.kong@herts.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference 41/55797/18.