FOUR men and a 17-year-old boy who stole from vans in Slough and South Bucks have been sentenced.

The group were sentenced for conspiracy to steal from a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods,at Reading Crown Court on Thursday (16/6).

The incidents took place between Tuesday, July 22 to Thursday November 27, 2014.

A total of 124 offences took place and the group targeted vans belonging to tradesmen who had parked their vehicles in hotel car parks and residential roads over night.

Investigating officer Det Con Anna Johnson from Slough Local CID said: “This series of offences has had a severe financial impact on the victims of these thefts, with some victims losing property valued at over £10,000.

“I hope these sentences will send a clear message to other offenders targeting tradesman’s vehicles.”

The group, who are from West Drayton were all charged on June 2, 2015 all pleaded guilty and were convicted at Reading Crown Court on May 10 this year.

John Ward, 21, of Blunts Avenue, West Drayton, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and Michael Ward, 19, of Blunts Avenue, West Drayton, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment in a young offenders’ institute.

Michael Mongan, 66, of Colne Park caravan site, West Drayton, was given a two year suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work, as well as being ordered to pay £500 court costs for two counts of handling stolen goods.

Edward Mongan, aged 39, also of Colne Park caravan site, West Drayton, was sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment and a17-year-old boy was given a 12 month youth rehabilitation order and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.

Det Sgt Steve Madoc-Jones, from Slough Local CID, said: “This group of offenders conspired together and used sophisticated means to target unattended tradesperson’s vans and steal their tools across several police force boundaries.

“They also used sophisticated means to try and evade detection by the police but were ultimately identified and arrested following this operation.

“In many cases, this greatly affected the ability of the victims to go about their work and had a significant financial impact on the individuals.

“I would urge everyone to always property mark their tools with etchings devices which are both cheap and readily available."