Police searches relate to 'letterbox fishing' thefts
Police carried out dawn raids at 10 addresses on Tuesday (December 21) in connection with around 75 thefts across South-West London.
Operation Juniper involved more than 50 detectives investigating around £2m worth of so-called "letterbox fishing" and car thefts in areas including Merton and Wandsworth.
In most cases the method was to use an implement to steal car keys, usually left on hall tables inside properties, and then take high value vehicles from the drive. The vehicles stolen included Mercedes and BMWs.
The thefts also took place in Kingston, Croydon, Sutton, Richmond and Twickenham boroughs and the investigative team, made up of officers from across the boroughs had been involved in months of detective work.
Ten search warrants in Kingston and Surrey led to the arrest of six men and two teenage boys. Police have said they were:
A 19 year old man from Kingston.
A 22 year old man from New Malden.
A 20 year old man of no fixed address.
A 25 year old man from New Malden.
A 21 year old man from New Malden.
A 19 year old man from Chessington.
A 15 year old boy from Kingston.
A 17 year old boy of no fixed address.
Acting Commander Guy Ferguson, who oversaw the operation said: "Burglary is and remains a top priority for the MPS and officers will continue to seek out and arrest those who are responsible for breaking into and stealing from homes.
"Whether they are stealing televisions or high value vehicles, the impact on victims who have had their homes violated and property stolen is devastating.
"The message is quite simple, we will investigate, we will identify you and you will be arrested."
December 21, 2010
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