Members of an organised crime group have been jailed after a series of moped enabled crimes across London.

12 men were sentenced to a total of 67 years and 8 months imprisonment, at Kingston crown court on Monday 13th May.

The court heard how the gang were responsible for over 400 offences around South and West London Boroughs, between November 2017 and June 2018.

Among these offences were a series of professional raids on clothing stores and a robbery where they threatened to snatch a 3 year old from his mother.

Most offences occurred at night where they concealed their identities with helmets in a bid to remain anonymous.

The gang used stolen cars and mopeds which had their number plates removed.

The met launched an investigation called ‘Operation Fieldhouse’ into the organised crime group, in February 2018 following a surge in moped enabled crimes.

As a result of several months of meticulous work and surveillance, key members of the organised crime group were identified.

A breakdown of the defendants and offences are as follows:

Omar Tafat, 22 of John Smith Avenue, London SW6 previously pleaded guilty to attempted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car and breach of a criminal behaviour order.

He was also found guilty of two further counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon on Friday, 5 October 2018.

Tafat was sentenced to eight years and five months’ imprisonment.

Josh Strong-Myers, 20 of Loftus Road, W12 previously pleaded guilty to attempted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, possession of an offensive weapon and conspiracy to steal (cameras).

He was also found guilty of two further counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon on Friday, 5 October 2018. Strong-Myers was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

Kian Taylor, 20 of no fixed address previously pleaded guilty to attempted theft, going equipped to steal, criminal damage to a police car, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was also found guilty of robbery at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 5 October 2018 and conspiracy to burgle on Monday, 14 January 2019.

Taylor was sentenced to nine years and four months’ imprisonment.

Steven Weller, 36 of Greenlawn Lane, TW8 previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to burgle on Thursday, 11 October 2018.

He was sentenced to six years and seven months’ imprisonment.

Terry Marsh, 32 of Vanston Place, SW6 previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle on 11 September 2018.

He was sentenced to 13 years and two months’ imprisonment.

Ryan Moran 26, of Hazelbury Road, SW6 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to burgle and handling stolen goods on Tuesday, 11 September 2018.

He was handed a 24 month suspended sentence.

John McFadyen, 24, of Hounslow Road, TW13 previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob on Tuesday, 11 September 2018.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Isaac McFadyen, 19 of Hounslow Road, TW13 previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob on 11 September 2018.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Mitchall Leaver, 25 of Trott Street, SW11 previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

He was sentenced to a 12 month suspended sentence.

Aaron Pask, 27 of Westway, W12 was previously found guilty of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal on Friday, 4 January 2019 and conspiracy to steal on 1 February 2019.

He was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Scott Leaver, 25 of Frazier Street, SE1 was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle on Monday, 7 January 2019.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Ram Monk, 23 of no fixed address was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle on 14 January 2019.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Other offences included ram-raiding a high-end outdoor clothing company in High Street Kensington twice within a month, assaulting the security guard who had been hired after the first raid on the second and throwing him onto the street.

The gang also sprayed a police car with fire foam extinguishers, before making off with a stolen bike.

Detective Inspector Andy Durham, who led the investigation, said:

“Operation Fieldhouse was a painstaking investigation which sought to apprehend violent moped criminals.

Following months of hard work and dedication carried out by my officers, the organised crime group responsible for a series of dangerous offences across London have been brought to justice.”

According to the national crime agency, the government needs to fork £2.7bn to tackle the serious, growing issue of or

National crime agency says law enforcement needs 2.7bn more over next three years to keep up with organised crime.