A GANG of robbers who raided six businesses across the region and a further 25 in and around London have been jailed for more than 54 years.

The seven were part of a group of 14 people who targeted a range of shops. Their main targets were travel agents with a bureau de change.

The gang robbed Going Places in Orpington, Thomsons in Strood, Travel Care in Penge, Threshers in Maidstone, Teston Post Office and Thomsons in Sidcup between February and September last year.

On a number of occasions the gang resorted to using physical force and on occasions stun guns against their victims in order to force their co-operation in handing over the cash.

Many of the robbers were known to the Flying Squad for similar offences having been released from prison in the late 90s and in 2000.

They were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday.

They are: Nicholas Steele, 26, jailed for 12 years; Ryan Brown, 30, jailed for nine years and nine months; Keith Walker, 27, jailed for seven-and-a-half years; Denzil Simms, 25, jailed for seven-and-a-half years; Edmund Brown, 22, jailed for seven years; Peter Awoyejo, 22, jailed for six years; and Joel Daley, 21, jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Four others were found guilty in a separate trial in July: Dwaine Shepherd, 30, jailed for nine years; Daniel Wolday, 21, jailed for seven years; Leon Green, 20, jailed for six-and-a-half years; and Jason Hall, 29, jailed for six years.

Three more pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal or rob: Marlon Bayley, 23, jailed for two-and-a-half years; Daile Young, 30, jailed for five-and-a-half years; and Elizabeth Dunn, jailed for four months.

Most of the gang lived in south London while Ryan Brown lived in East Grinstead, West Sussex, and Walker, Daley, Bayley and Young were of no fixed address.

Two men and four women were acquitted.

Det Con Dan Williams, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: "This was a persistent and organised group of armed robbers who carefully planned and targeted their crimes. I am pleased the courts have recognised the seriousness of these crimes with the significant sentences they have passed."