Seven Moped Gangsters Locked Up for North London Spree
Seven moped-riding criminals behind a spree of mobile phone robberies and daring raids on luxury shops in Camden, Islington, and Westminster have been sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court over two days in early March.
Two-Year Crackdown on Organised Moped Gang
The sentences mark the end of a tough two-year intelligence-led operation targeting an Islington-based moped gang. The group carried out multiple raids on mobile phone stores across north London between May and November 2016. Eighteen gang members, including three handlers, were convicted after trials running from August 2017 to October 2018.
The Metropolitan Police’s Operation Vocare, along with the Flying Squad, cracked down on high-profile smash-and-grab attacks on top-end stores like Boodles jewellery and Saint Laurent in London’s West End last year.
Sentences Handed Down After Violent Bouts
- Alfie Warry, 21, got nine years for conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary at Saint Laurent.
- Harry Doyle, 18, sentenced to six years after robbery at Boodles and an assault on a 48-year-old victim.
- Reece Salmon, 20, received 3 years and 9 months for multiple robberies across London.
- Henry Histon, 18, got six years, convicted for burglaries and robbery conspiracies at Saint Laurent and Boodles.
- A 17-year-old lad was locked up for six years for multiple burglaries at phone shops and robbery conspiracies.
- Miguel St Martin, 21, took the toughest hit with 12 years for street robberies and conspiracies to rob Boodles and Saint Laurent.
Two teens, aged 16 and 17, also received youth custodial sentences related to conspiracy and robbery offences. More details on the younger offenders will follow as their cases progress.
Violent Raid Foiled – Victim Injured in Cold Blood
In a shocking incident on 26 March 2018, gang members armed with axes and samurai swords tried to smash into the Boodles jewellery store using a stolen Land Rover. The gang also stampeded in on mopeds. A brave 48-year-old bystander tried to stop them but was attacked, suffering stab wounds to his back and knee. Thankfully, he made a full recovery.
The gang fled on mopeds, abandoning the van. Police later arrested suspects after tracking them via CCTV and phone data. Recovered evidence included stolen mopeds, phones, weapons including a ‘zombie’ knife, and luxury handbags worth thousands.
Met Police Send Strong Message
“I am very pleased with the totality of these sentences which have contributed to the reduction in moped crime and made the streets of north London safer,” said Detective Sergeant Danny Watts of Operation Vocare. “The imprisonment of this organised vicious criminal gang is the culmination of a complex and successful operation. We relentlessly pursue violent criminals and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information about moped crimes can call police on 101, Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111, or tweet @MetCC.
