Operation Abridge was a reactive investigation into a series of armed robberies committed in the West Midlands between November 2022 and June 2023 which resulted in over £200,000 of cash and jewellery being stolen. The five commercial robberies were committed by an organised crime group, all of whom were convicted.
Teams of three disguised individuals would enter commercial premises during opening hours, armed with hammers, axes and knives. They used or threatened violence upon staff and customers in order to get access to the safes, ATMs and gaming machines within these high value targets.
The police investigation found evidence of professional planning; with the venues being the subject of recognisance by the group; meaning the case had to be prosecuted using circumstantial evidence from ANPR data, cell masts and sophisticated gait analysis techniques.
At the conclusion of the case, HHJ Mukherjee found that this offending fell “comfortably within the highest category of offending” as set out by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. He imposed sentences totaling 54 years and 9 months upon the four offenders.
Media Links:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/armed-robbers-west-midlands-jailed-b2475876.html
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/horrifying-moment-axe-wielding-gang-28417049