A GANG of men who were caught vandalising tube trains at Loughton station have been jailed.

The youths, all aged between 20 and 23, are estimated to have caused around £270,000 worth of damage to carriages from February 2006 to November 2007.

The men pleaded guilty to repeatedly breaking into train depots across south east England, including at least one break-in at Loughton, during the night before spraying trains with their graffiti tags.

Howard Collins, chief operating officer of London Underground said: “The group’s actions cost thousands of pounds and resulted in trains being taken out of service.

"As well as causing unnecessary delays and distress to our passengers, they also put their own lives in danger.

“Criminal damage creates an intimidating atmosphere which is why we work hard to maintain a clean and pleasant network for our customers.

"We will be taking civil action to recover the debt that their damage created and will continue to devote significant and growing resources to visible policing across the transport system to make sure passengers feel comfortable and safe.”

British Transport Police detective chief inspector Kevin Shanahan said: "Cameras at stations and depots filmed their brazen acts of vandalism and we used this footage to get clear facial images of them.

“They were intent on criminality and went to great lengths to plan their attacks on trains."

“During one house search we found more than 400 photographs of the damage they had caused to trains.”

Crown Prosecution Service London lawyer Olwen Evans said: “This was an organised and prolific gang who worked together to plan attacks in order to cause disruption and delays.

“The strength of the evidence which was to be put to the court by the Crown Prosecution Service is what led these defendants to plead guilty."

The men are: Scott Offord, 21, of Jillian Close, Hampton, Middlesex, who has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Benjamin Standen, 21, of Chaplin Crescent, Sunbury, Middlesex, who has sentenced to six months in prison. Fraser Howie, 23, of Ailsa Road, Twickenham, who has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Stephen Byrne, 20, of Cardinal Ave, Kingston, Surrey, who has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

Adam Baigent, 21, of The Allders, Hanworth, who has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Jason Newman, 22, of Sunbury Rd, Feltham, Middlesex, who has been sentenced to nine months in prison.