A GANG of seven men are set to be sentenced next month over a series of aggravated burglaries, car key burglaries and a robbery in north Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

The gang were involved in 17 offences that took place across the area between April 26 2019 and June 9 2019 including raids in Hagley, Romsley, Rubery and Alvechurch.

West Mercia Police launched Operation Vespula in response to the crimes and five of the men have since admitted their involvement in the raids while another two were found guilty after a trial.

Dequan Wright and Haiden Kerr pleaded guilty to offences of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles and robbery.

David Shaikh and Aaron Gallagher admitted to offences of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles.

Ryan Steatham also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles.

After a two-week trial Mohammed Islam was found guilty of committing aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles and Rikesh Chauhan was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Detective Sergeant Scott Chivers of West Mercia Police said: “The local community in Hagley and Romsley were understandably concerned as not only were these men stealing from them they were doing so armed and were extremely dangerous.

“Our team worked tirelessly with the victims and the evidence to build a good case against the seven men. We will simply not tolerate burglaries in our community and I hope this sends a strong message to offenders that we will take robust action against those found to be committing crimes of this nature."

Sergeant Ian Heeks, from Rubery Police Station, said: “Officers from our Safer Neighbourhood Teams work hand-in-hand with the communities of Hagley, Rubery, Alvechurch and Wythall day in, day out to deter and disrupt hardened criminals who may think the West Mercia Police area is a soft target. I hope these convictions demonstrate that where organised gangs do decide to come to North Worcestershire – they will be caught."

He said large parts of north Worcestershire are now part of the We Don’t Buy Crime towns and villages initiative, which sees signs displayed in areas, sending a message to criminals that the area is protected, while the use of property marking significantly increases the chances a thief will get caught.

Residents can find out about latest crime prevention initiatives and keep in touch with their local policing teams by signing up to the force’s new Neighbourhood Matters messaging service - neighbourhoodmatters.co.uk.

All seven men are due to be sentenced next month.