A TEENAGE gang have been jailed for a series of security van robberies which netted £50,000.

Olu Oyewobi, 18, of Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, admitted being involved in three of the seven raids, which took place over a three-month period last year.

The first robbery saw Oyewobi, 18-year-old Harold Mack and another man, who is yet to be caught, attack a security guard outside Nat West bank in Southgate.

But the gang made off with an empty cash box which was later found dumped in a skip.

Undeterred, Oyewobi and Mack targeted another van outside Selco building suppliers in The Avenue, Walthamstow, three weeks later.

As the guard left the premises with £10,200, he was attacked by Oyewobi and another man. Oyewobi, Mack and Glodie Nzau, 19, of Tottenham, attempted to rob a Post Office security van.

But the guard spotted Nzau putting on a pair of gloves as he approached the van and decided not to leave the vehicle.

He then managed to flag down a passing police car. Members of the gang were also found to be responsible for four further robberies.

Oyewobi was sentenced to four years in prison. Other members of the gang were jailed for a total of 16 years.

Police are visiting schools to warn students not to bow to pressure from criminal gangs to get involved in robberies.

Detective Superintendent John Kielty of the Flying Squad said: "We have seen a number of young students carrying out cash in transit robberies for older acquaintances on the promise of a few hundred pounds for their trouble.

“Often they do not realise the significance of what they are being asked to do, until it's too late.

"This is one of a number of initiatives that has lead to a 34 per cent reduction in cash in transit robberies this year.

“Officers from the Flying Squad are proactively engaging with a range of colleges, youth groups and the probationary service to explain to teenagers that if you get involved with this type of activity you are looking at a significant period in prison and this could seriously impact your future.

“We are actively encouraging students to speak to someone in a position of authority if ever they are approached to get involved in crime."

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