Six members of a gang that targeted industrial units and commercial sites by posing as workmen in high visibility jackets have been jailed.

Tommy Allen, 31, of Tull Street, Mitcham, was said to have led the gang that committed a series of 17 burglaries across Merton, Croydon and Sutton last year and in the early part of this year, with the majority of the burglaries being committed in the early hours of the morning.

Allen recruited Kane Beard, 21, Albert Road, South Norwood, early on during the conspiracy before bringing in Tremayne Brown, 22, of Welhouse Road, Carshalton, Steven Micallef, 35, of Southbury Road, Enfield, Daniel Lambourne, 23 of Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, and Liam Staite, 18, also of Tull Street, Mitcham, to carry out the offences with him.

The gang carried out the burglaries dressed in high visibility jackets and used stolen vehicles with false number plates to travel to and from the locations.

When inside they stole vehicles, tools and safes.

Police investigated the gang members' addresses on February 17 and found stolen property including a Mercedes Vito Van, a Seat Altea and other items taken from the industrial sites.

All six pleaded guilty to the offences at Kingston Crown Court on June 4 with Allen admitted his part in 17 of the burglaries, Staite to seven, Brown to nine, Micallef to four, Beard to two and Lambourne to one.

Today at Kingston Crown Court Allen was sentenced to five years and four months.

The two youngest conspirators Staite and Beard received two years and six months, two years, respectively.

Brown was sentenced to two years and six months, Micallef received a sentence of two years and five months, and Lambourne was sentenced to six months.

Detective sergeant Dan Mitchell from Merton CID said: "Tommy Allen led an organised criminal gang, of which all the defendants were a part, in a series of burglary and theft offences.

"The crimes were planned and organised, with significant effort made to evade detection.

"Several small businesses suffered significant loss, which in turn adversely affected the lives of local people in Mitcham, Sutton and Croydon.

"Allen received the longest sentence for his role in leading the gang and I hope this will provide some reassurance to the local communities".

The burglaries: 

20 October, 777Demolition and Haulage, Beddington Lane, Croydon.

23 October, About Town Motor cycle and scooter hire, Ferrier Street, Wandsworth.

30 October, EPharm, Willow Lane, Mitcham.

30 October, M G Granites, Willow Lane, Mitcham.

30 October, Pathos Continental Foods, Willow Lane, Mitcham.

2 December, Simon Horn Furniture, Prince Georges Road, Colliers Wood.

2 December, 777Demolition and Haulage, Beddington Lane, Croydon.

17 December, Unit 1, Eagle Trading Estate, Mitcham.

17 December, Shelley Engineering, Grace Business Centre, Mitcham.

19 December, D Shaw & Co, Cox lane, Chessington. 

27 December, Jubilee Centre, Lombard Road, Wimbledon.

29 December, William Hill Bookmakers, Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton.

9 January, Wimbledon Town Garage, Windsor Avenue, Wimbledon.

24 January, Lucas Glass, Broadfield Close, Croydon.

24 January, Shady Tints, Broadfield Close, Croydon.

6 February, Safe Store, Nelson Trading Estate, Merton.

11 February, Breezemount, Coomber Way, Croydon.