A GANG targeting commercial premises across London and surrounding counties to steal large quantities of cigarettes have been jailed.

The six men appeared in custody at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday, when they were jailed for a total of 27 years and nine months for being part of a conspiracy to burgle commercial premises. The six were:

Gavin Horsted, 36, of Uxbridge Road, Hayes: jailed for four years six months.

Bradley Kearney, 30, of Park Lodge Avenue, West Drayton: jailed for four years. Mark Sethi, 33, of North Road, West Drayton: jailed for five years.

Edward McGinty, 34, of Sandhurst: jailed for five years.

Kaine Grant, 24, of Fir Tree Avenue, West Drayton: jailed for four years six months.

Patrick McDonagh, 24, of no fixed abode: jailed for four years six months.

Sethi and McGinty were also sentenced for the additional offence of going equipped to steal.

The court heard how, between July and September last year, the men targeted six supermarkets and smaller newsagents to steal large quantities of cigarettes.

During the early hours, they would identify a store and, wearing dark clothing with their faces covered, would use tools such as screwdrivers and sledgehammers to break in.

They would then quickly make their way to the cigarette cabinet, force it open and fill a wheelie bin or duvet cover with cigarettes. They used a vehicle on false registration plates.

In one of the incidents, they broke into a store in Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, and stole £8,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco.

Following an investigation involving the Met, Surrey and Thames Valley forces, officers from Hillingdon stopped two vehicles, one of them on false plates.

Inside the vehicles were Kearney, Sethi, McGinty, Grant and McDonagh. All five men were in possession of gloves, balaclavas and hand tools.

Horsted was later arrested in another vehicle. Inside his home, a number of items were found, including balaclavas, gloves and a distinctive duvet which officers were able to identify as being used in one of the offences.

The six were charged with conspiracy to burgle and going equipped to steal.

Det Con Okiki Okunola, from Hillingdon Crime Squad, said: "These men thought they would not get caught by committing their crimes across different locations.

"What they failed to realise is that the police will always work together regardless of the geographic locations to catch those who try to make a living through criminal activities."