Scouse gang jailed for 30 years for van raids (From The Argus)

Scouse gang jailed for 30 years for van raids

11:00am Saturday 18th October 2008 in Search By Alison Cridland

A gang of robbers who travelled halfway across the country to raid security vans have been jailed for more than 30 years.

The men stole £50,000 in raids on security workers delivering money to cashpoints in Brighton and Hove.

The robbers wore hoods or masks to cover their faces as they carried out the organised attacks.

Police believe they stayed with friends in Whitehawk, Brighton, and Hangleton, Hove, when they carried out the robberies.

They fled in stolen cars but were tracked down by police and yesterday appeared at Lewes Crown Court to be sentenced.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Pollard, of Sussex Police, said: “This is a fantastic result.

“This is a group of organised criminals from Merseyside who came to Sussex to commit serious crimes but were thwarted in their efforts by Brighton and Hove detectives.

“The sentences reflect the severity of their crimes.”

The Argus revealed earlier this year that Sussex Police had identified 60 organised crime gangs, many based in Liverpool, who were operating in the county.

The group of robbers sentenced yesterday are thought to have targeted Sussex because police on Merseyside had launched a successful operation against raids on security vans.

But detectives have only been able to recover £6,500 of the cash stolen in the gang’s raids - and one suspect is still wanted over the crimes.

Alan Mills, 33, of Huyton, Merseyside, was jailed for nine years after admitting taking part in two robberies two years apart.

Roy Baxter, 22, from Speke, Liverpool, admitted taking part in one robbery and was jailed for six years.

Jamaal Alfa, 31, from Wavertree, Liverpool, Anthony Gil, 21, from Aigburth, Liverpool, and Anthony Conning, 22, from Walton, Liverpool, admitted conspiracy to rob and were each jailed for five and a half years.