Detectives from the Met’s Flying Squad, along with officers from North West and West Area Basic Command Units, launched Operation Bayview in response to a high number of residential burglaries, often targeting the elderly and the vulnerable.

All three men pleaded guilty on Friday, 28 January at the same court and were sentenced on Monday, 21 March. They are:

Lawrence Connors, 29  of Gomm Place, High Wycombe was sentenced to six years and five months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit burglary, accepting his presence at six offences.

Michael Doran, 23 of Sandringham Road, Northolt was sentenced to five years and eight months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit burglary, accepting his presence at four offences.

James O’Leary, 19 of Apple Grove, Harrow was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment for burglary on Thursday, 1 July 2021 and conspiracy to commit burglary, accepting presence at four offences. He was also disqualified from driving after pleading guilty to driving offences.

The burglaries spanned from Saturday, 26 June to Thursday, 1 July 2021 in north and west London, Hampshire, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire. The value of the stolen property is estimated at £200,000. Of this, £30,000 worth of property was not recovered, along with some items of sentimental value.

Detectives identified the men after they analysed a number of reports from across London and the surrounding counties with the help of neighbouring forces. Sharing relevant offences where there were a similar feature, such as theft of jewellery or description of vehicles involved in the offences.

They painstakingly analysed hours of CCTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) data. Statements were taken from residents and surveillance was conducted on the three men. This led detectives to identify a number of vehicles the men were using to carry out their offending.

On Thursday, 1 July officers witnessed the three men driving away for an address in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, where it was discovered a burglary had taken place. Shortly afterwards, the car in which they were travelling was stopped by Met and Surrey Police ANPR interceptor units.

The suspects tried to flee from officers but all three were detained and arrested.

Jewellery and other property valued at up to £100,000 was recovered from the vehicle and has since been returned to its rightful owner. A high value vehicle stolen from one of the previous burglaries was also recovered by the investigating team.

Detective Superintendent Figo Forouzan, from West Area BCU, said: “The evidence gathered by police left these men in no doubt but to plead.

“They were clearly forensically aware and thought they were too sophisticated to be caught, but we proved them wrong.

“They targeted their chosen victims and ransacked their homes in the dark. They took with them not only money, but irreplaceable items of sentimental value that have never been seen again.”