'Callous' thieves jailed for string of raids

Two men have been jailed for a string of burglaries and thefts from a garage, shops and post offices across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Ben Barnham and Ricky Mackmurdie, both of The Warrens in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire, attacked post offices in Elstow, Marston Moretaine, Oakley, Gamlingay and Ardleigh.

They also raided a shop and a supermarket in Langham and Clapham, a jeweller's shop in Colchester and a garage in Cranfield.

Barnham, 32, was jailed for four years and two months and Mackmurdie, 34, for three years and two months, at Luton Crown Court.

Det Con Andrew Boston, from Bedfordshire Police, said: "They are callous thieves and it is pleasing that they will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars."

Police said they were able to link the pair's crimes after a burglary at their next door neighbour's house "raised suspicions".

Before the raids, they stole their neighbour's car. Officers then installed a CCTV camera there that allowed them to trace their movements.

Barnham and Mackmurdie broke into the various properties using crowbars.

They stole cash, parcels and cigarettes, using vehicles they had stolen from a garage in Cranfield.

The pair admitted conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to burgle, burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle, in court on Tuesday.

Boston said: "[They] carried out these attacks without a thought for the effects on the victims, which are still being felt now.

"Burglary is a real priority here in Bedfordshire, which is why Operation Maze was set up.

"It is now one of the most successful burglary units in the country and we will continue to hunt down these criminals."

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