A DEDICATED team of police officers who worked tirelessly with other south west forces on cracking down on a spate of burglaries have had their efforts hailed a huge success.

Operation Keel brought an organised crime group to justice after they carried out 120 safe burglaries across the region, causing severe damage and stealing cash to the value of £683,361.00.

In total, 56 offences were committed in Swindon and North Wiltshire and working with officers in five other forces, Wiltshire Police managed to gather intelligence to link a series of burglaries where earing walls of buildings were torn out to access safes, which would then be smashed or taken off-site and cut open.

One of the offenders was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with his two co-accused receiving seven years’ imprisonment each. They also had a proceeds of crime order made against them with a combined total of £299.570.97.

Detective Constable Jeremy Horner, Mr Nigel Porter and Inspector Paul Franklin were awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation for their professionalism and commitment in bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion where one offender was jailed for 10 years.

Insp Franklin, 48 said: “The offenders didn’t show any remorse so to get that result was brilliant.

“You always hear a lot of the bad stuff to do with results so to be recognised for this hard work is really important for the team.”