FIVE members of a criminal gang have all pleaded guilty to masterminding 11 ram raids across Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex – including high-profile raids in Farnham, Alton and Bordon.

Jimmy Shea, 24, of Nursery Road, Alton; Les Keet, 29, of Cobbetts Close, Normandy; Eric Summerfield, 63, of Walnut Tree Close, Guildford; Melvyn Beech, 47, of Kingston Road, Leatherhead; and Jason Mobey, 40, of Macdonald Road, Farnham admitted their roles in the raids at Hove Crown Court on Wednesday (April 17).

It relates to a spree of ATM thefts across Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex between May and December last year, including ram raids at Tesco Express in Ridgway Road, Farnham, on July 9, Halifax bank in West Street, Farnham, on August 17, Sleaford service station near Bordon on September 21, and HSBC bank in High Street, Alton, on November 17 – as well as offences in Rudgwick, Nutbourne and Billingshurst in Sussex, Denmead and Kingsworthy in Hampshire, and East Horsley in Surrey.

Following the ATM thefts, police arrested six people in a series of co-ordinated early-morning raids early on Thursday, December 20, involving 70 officers from across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.

Jason Mobey, 40, of Macdonald Road, Farnham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling) and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Jimmy Shea, 24, of Nursery Road, Alton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling).

Les Keet, 29, of Cobbetts Close, Normandy pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling) and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Eric Summerfield, 63, of Walnut Tree Close, Guildford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Melvyn Beech, 47, of Kingston Road, Leatherhead pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Head of Serious Organised Crime for Surrey and Sussex, Detective Superintendent Karen Mizzi said: “The guilty pleas heard in court yesterday have been as a result of a thorough investigation into organised crime in the area.

“Recent ATM thefts have posed a severe risk and danger to the public and it has a severe impact on rural communities who rely on these machines.

“I’m pleased that our team, coordinated with Sussex and Hampshire forces, were able to make the arrests.

“I want to reassure the public that we are taking these crimes very seriously and perpetrators will never be welcome in Surrey.

“Attacks on ATMs is a national issue and one affecting all forces at present. We are working hard with all of our neighbouring forces to ensure there is a joined up approach to catching offenders and establish if there are any links between crimes.”

The offending period extends from May 2018 to December 2018.

The men have been remanded in custody until they attend Hove Crown Court for sentencing on June 7, 2019.