Four members of an organised crime gang have been convicted of carrying out a series of mobile phone robberies across London.

The men would walk into the shops wearing masks before threatening staff and stealing the devices.

The gang carried out raids on six mobile phone shops across London in May and June last year.

These included shops in Sutton and Colliers Wood, stealing tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of high-value mobile phones, including £30,000 worth of devices stolen in Woolwich.

71-year-old Thomas Davidson, 49-year-old Saleem Ramzan and 18-year-old Louis Pandanzyla will be sentenced in July.

Another person, aged under 18, will also be sentenced.

Stuart Seymour, Director of Security at Virgin Media O2, said:

“The safety of our people and our customers is always our number one priority, and we won’t sit back while criminal gangs use intimidation and violence against them.

“These convictions, which we’ve worked hand in hand with law enforcement to secure, show that targeting mobile phone stores absolutely does not pay and we’re pleased to see these criminals brought to justice.

“We have built, enhanced and improved security measures within stores and developed mechanisms with the police to ensure faster reaction times and evidence gathering leading to arrests. We will not cease fighting back and protecting our people and customers.”