A violent gang who tried to rob a cash-in-transit van outside a supermarket have been jailed.

The four London men were found guilty of a string of offences including involvement in an attempted raid on a van outside Waitrose in South Woodford High Road early on a Monday morning last July.

Saqib Waheed, 27, of Katherine Road in East Ham, and Darrian Davis, 34, of no fixed abode, targeted the vehicle, belonging to security firm Loomis, while dressed in boiler suits, gloves and balaclavas.

They also attempted to gain access to a cash machine on the outside wall of the supermarket which contained £110,000.

But within minutes they were surrounded by armed police and arrested.

Two other members of the gang, 28-year-old Waqaas Malik, of Morley Road, Plaistow, and Adam Ephraim, 22, of Lennard Road, Croydon, were arrested shortly after.

Following the arrests the Met linked them with similar robberies in Upton Park, Sydenham, Biggin Hill in Kent and a petrol station in Romford between April 2011 and June 2012.

In some of the raids they threatened staff with weapons including an axe and gun, with security staff hospitalised after being beaten up during the petrol station raid.

Detective Sergeant Tom Smith, who led the investigation, said: "This was a complex investigation spanning a number of months which has resulted in four violent criminals being put behind bars. 

"The gang had no qualms in using extensive violence to intimidate their victims as they carried out their robberies. Thanks to diligent police work, especially that of DC Matthew Wyatt, these four men are now where they belong - behind bars."

Detective Inspector Mark Field of the Flying Squad added: "This was a very professional outfit who used gratuitous violence in their crimes.

"It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured.

"It was only through the meticulous work of the Flying Squad that ensured this group are not free to continue committing robbery.

"This operation shows the Flying Squad's commitment in convicting organised criminals engaged in attacks against the cash in transit industry."

 

The foursome were convicted of robbery and conspiracy to rob offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court and were sentenced today.

Waheed, was sentenced to 14 years, Malik to 14 years, Davis to eight years and four months, and Ephraim was sentenced to six years.