0:00:02 > 0:00:04Thieves will steal our cars, our valuables,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08just about anything they can get their hands on.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11To cut down on crime and antisocial behaviour,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14the police and other agencies are using new tactics
0:00:14 > 0:00:18and technology so the bad guys get caught in the act.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- The CCTV is gold dust. - Great evidence for the police.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23Got to have him stopped.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Local councils, shops and businesses are laying some traps of their own.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29The eureka moment when you get that evidence.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32And the general public, too, can help unsuspecting crooks
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- get their comeuppance. - People won't stand by.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- I couldn't sit back and do nothing. - Yes, we've got her!
0:00:39 > 0:00:43So, anyone who's up to no good had better think twice.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46They might just get caught red-handed.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Today...
0:00:52 > 0:00:56a gang of armed robbers embark on a month-long reign of terror.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- They're chaotic, these criminals. - They are desperate people.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01The guy with the shotgun, really loud, he said, "Don't turn.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03"If you do, I will shoot you."
0:01:03 > 0:01:06But they haven't counted on victims who fight back.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09A large group chased them out of the shop.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Also today, the depths to which some crooks will sink.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15They're just despicable,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18they've got no consideration for how
0:01:18 > 0:01:21people feel about their pets.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22When prized fish are stolen,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26the family trawl through CCTV to land a catch.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31And thou shalt not steal.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35A higher power watches a church usher pocketing the collection money.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Greater Manchester, and the police are on the hunt for an armed
0:01:49 > 0:01:53- and dangerous gang.- They're running around the streets with a shotgun.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Absolutely chaotic.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00They're targeting businesses and commit nine raids in a month,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02leaving behind them terrified victims.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06She's got a gun in her face, she's got somebody else grabbing her from behind.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Her whole life must have just flashed in front of her.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Then they try to rob Ali's restaurant.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16- OVER PHONE:- 'We've got a robbery here, with guns.'
0:02:16 > 0:02:18'Someone's just entered with a gun?'
0:02:18 > 0:02:19- 'Yes, shotgun.'- 'A shotgun?'
0:02:19 > 0:02:22But he bravely stands up to them.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25The guy with the shot gun, very loud, he said, "Don't turn.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27"If you do, I will shoot you."
0:02:27 > 0:02:28I just want to protect my colleagues,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30so that's why I just took a risk.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43With a population of nearly 3,000,000, Greater Manchester
0:02:43 > 0:02:47is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the UK.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50So, it has its fair share of serious crime.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54To tackle it, Greater Manchester Police has a division called
0:02:54 > 0:02:57the Serious and Organised Crime Group.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Robert Cousen works as a detective inspector.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04And Richard Castley as a detective sergeant.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08We've got specialist skills to tackle professional criminals.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09That's where we are brought in.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12So that's the most sophisticated criminals that you have,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15really, in society. You never know what you're coming in to.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17You never know when you're going to be going home.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19But it is something that I'm passionate about,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and luckily I've got a team that are really passionate about it as well.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I've been in the police 16 years.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28I've always wanted to be a police officer, since I was a small kid.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31And the team are about to be tested by a highly active
0:03:31 > 0:03:33and violent gang of armed robbers.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38A May evening in Chorlton, Manchester.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42It's just after 9.00pm at this bookmaker's, when two men burst in.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45One's armed with a shotgun.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47He points the gun at the face of the cashier
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and demands he opens the shop's safe.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Deciding the cashier isn't moving fast enough,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58the robber hits him over the head with the shotgun.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07Finding only a small amount of cash, the two masked men leave.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10This isn't something that happens every day of the week,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12this is a really serious, violent crime.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16You can see how close that shotgun is. Right at his head.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19He must have been absolutely petrified.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The robbers are in and out in under four minutes, and there's not
0:04:23 > 0:04:27much for the police to go on, as they were masked and wearing gloves.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29It was a really difficult investigation,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32we didn't know who the people were who were responsible.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34There was no intelligence coming in from the public to say
0:04:34 > 0:04:37who was responsible.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Five days later, and 80 miles away in Derby,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43there's a robbery at another bookmaker's.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48This time there are three raiders. Again, one of them carries a shotgun.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51The police believe it is the work of the same gang.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54A shotgun is not the most common weapon to be used in an armed
0:04:54 > 0:04:56robbery. Contrary to popular belief.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58You've then got the description of the males,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01wearing face coverings, described as bandannas.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Again, the gang commit the robbery in minutes,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08but two of their faces are captured on CCTV as they escape.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09This is the gunman.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Unbeknown to him, there was a camera that caught him
0:05:13 > 0:05:15just as he left, and as he pulled down his bandanna.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18It is like a picture you'd have on your mantelpiece at home,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21it is that clear. You can see this person's face.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25It's a great lead, but it doesn't bring an immediate result.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Basically, we searched our entire Greater Manchester Police system
0:05:29 > 0:05:33to try and identify this male, and just couldn't find him anywhere.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And that causes a great deal of frustration.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39But they're about to have more luck identifying the other robber
0:05:39 > 0:05:41wearing the sunglasses.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43A witness comes forward with the number plate of the gang's
0:05:43 > 0:05:44getaway car.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48The vehicle was identified as being hired in Manchester,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51so enquiries were conducted and the vehicle was stopped.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54One of the suspects was arrested.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58The man found driving the car is 25-year-old Omar Berryman,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and he has a distinctive pair of sunglasses with him.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04When we look at the CCTV, it is
0:06:04 > 0:06:07clear to see that the sunglasses recovered in the car is the
0:06:07 > 0:06:11same sunglasses as being worn by one of the offenders during the offence.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Berryman is held in prison.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18While the police go after the rest of the gang.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21They're a man down, but they aren't about to stop.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Their next target, a fast-food restaurant.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Ali works here as a shift manager.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31He originally came to this country in 2000 as a refugee
0:06:31 > 0:06:35- from Afghanistan.- 15 years before, I moved here in the UK.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Started living here. Very happy here. Happy family, happy life.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Then one Friday night, when the restaurant is about to close,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Ali is on duty, working in the back office.
0:06:47 > 0:06:53I was cashing up tills in the office around 10.55.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58Ali has cash on the table, which he's just about to put into the open safe.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00But then the assistant behind the counter is
0:07:00 > 0:07:02confronted by a terrifying sight.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08A masked man with a shotgun bursts in, followed by two others.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11She ran in the office and screamed, "Guys with gun!"
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Straight away, I checked the camera.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17And I saw the three guys with masks and gloves.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Ali could, and really should, have stayed in the office.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23But he makes the decision to face the robbers,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26to help his colleagues and customers get to safety.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29I had the option to do not go on front.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32But I thought maybe they come in the office,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34or they might harm my colleagues.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36So, as I was shift manager, I think it is
0:07:36 > 0:07:39my responsibility to protect my staff.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Now Ali's at gunpoint.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44The raiders demand he open the tills.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48The guy with shotgun, he seems very angry. He was very loud.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51But Ali has lived through dangerous times in Pakistan
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- and Afghanistan, so he doesn't scare easily.- I've seen guns before.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59A couple of times. I just want to protect my colleagues.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03So that's why I just took a risk.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Ali turns his back on the robbers and heads towards the office.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The guy with shotgun, very loud, he said, "Don't turn.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11"If you do, I will shoot you."
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I didn't give him chance to take any action,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I just turned away and then went into the office.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20It's a big risk.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Once in the office, Ali shuts the open safe.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26The other staff have got away, so he locks the office door,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29sealing himself off from the armed gang.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Then he calls the police.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- OVER PHONE:- 'We've got a robbery here, with guns.'- 'Someone has just entered with a gun?'
0:08:35 > 0:08:37'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.'
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Realising they've been outsmarted, the gang leave empty-handed.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- 'Are you OK?'- 'Yeah, I'm fine.' - 'And all your staff are OK, yeah?'
0:08:45 > 0:08:48'Yes. A little scared, but they're OK.'
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Ali keeps a cool head and checks on some customers who witnessed
0:08:51 > 0:08:54the raid but were ignored by the robbers.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57To these customers I said,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00"Don't be scared. I just rang the police. They are coming."
0:09:00 > 0:09:05One customer sitting over there. After that, this customer came
0:09:05 > 0:09:11and said, "You are my hero." It makes me feel very proud.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14When the police arrived, Ali gives them
0:09:14 > 0:09:17the CCTV footage of the attempted robbery.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20There's never really a silver lining in these types of offences,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22cos you've always got victims there.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26However, on this occasion, they were unsuccessful.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Our concern is, are they going to continue committing these
0:09:28 > 0:09:31offences, whilst were looking for them,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33while we are trying to identify who they are?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38The gang's crimes escalate.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41They become more desperate and aggressive.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This must be the most frightening experience that these people
0:09:44 > 0:09:47will have ever had and are ever likely to have.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49But when they attempt to rob a mobile phone shop,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52they get more than they bargained for.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Throwing a chair, the staff fight back.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03The likelihood of anyone being caught up in an armed robbery
0:10:03 > 0:10:06like this is, thankfully, extremely slim.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10But if we are unfortunate enough to come face-to-face with violent
0:10:10 > 0:10:14criminals, there are steps we can take to help avoid getting hurt.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Fighting back is an absolute last resort,
0:10:17 > 0:10:19when you're faced with an offender with a weapon.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It can actually make the situation worse.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24This is not the movies, it hurts.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28So, your life is far too precious. Don't get involved.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Never be ashamed to run away from the crime or to hide.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35There is nothing more important than your life.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38The description of a weapon can prove absolutely vital to
0:10:38 > 0:10:40a criminal investigation.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Whether or not it's a long-barrelled weapon,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45short-barrelled weapon, the type of knife, that will help us.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47In this situation, the offenders were masked,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51but it's surprising how much evidence you can still gather.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54What accent do the offenders have? How many are there?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Do they call each other by name or nickname?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59All of this is absolutely essential.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Thieves try to net a fortune from fish
0:11:09 > 0:11:11by stealing valuable Koi Carp.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16The biggest fish that we had could have been worth up to about £30,000.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18The family check their cameras
0:11:18 > 0:11:20and hook a couple of slippery crooks
0:11:20 > 0:11:22out for some night-time fishing.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Is nothing sacred any more?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31When the church usher takes the collection at the end
0:11:31 > 0:11:35of the service, the congregation don't expect him to help himself.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Now, only in America.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45These pictures, taken by a hidden camera,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48show a man who's at a church service.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50But he's not worshipping with the congregation,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53he's skulking in a corner of the back room.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56And the money he's rather inelegantly
0:11:56 > 0:12:00stuffing into his trousers is from the church's collection baskets.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04To make things worse, he's one of the church ushers.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08And he's doing this while the service is still going on.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Still, his sins are being watched from on high.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Well, certainly, by this secret camera.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Suspecting someone is stealing from the collection fund,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21church officials have informed the police,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24who've set up a sting operation to catch the culprit.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26As well as the camera,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30there are plain clothes officers sitting amongst the congregation.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Oblivious, the man continues to collect the church's
0:12:33 > 0:12:38collection into his own pockets. Every last coin and cheque.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42He then returns to join in the service.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Found with nearly 350 on him,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49the uncharitable usher at first claims it's all his own money.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52May he be forgiven? Well, no.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55The police and the church don't turn the other cheek.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57He is ushered away and charged with theft.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Thieves will take just about anything that's not bolted down.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07But here's a fishy tale for you.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10When a couple of net themselves a bizarre catch.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Sunderland.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It's the early hours of the morning
0:13:17 > 0:13:21and these men are about to commit an unusual sort of crime.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25They're going fishing, but for somebody else's fish.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26They're just despicable.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31They've got no consideration for how people feel about their pets.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Andy's beloved Koi Carp have been stolen.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37The pond was completely empty, it was desolate.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41The family can't understand why anybody would steal their pet fish.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Until they find out exactly how much these carp are worth.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Anywhere from 1,000 to 30,000.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Now, Andy and his family desperately hope the police
0:13:51 > 0:13:52can hook these crooks.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06Fish and fishing have been important to Sunderland over centuries.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09And fish certainly play a major role in the life of
0:14:09 > 0:14:11this Sunderland resident.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14These Japanese Koi Carp belong to Andy.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Fish, to me, is comforting. It's very comforting.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21They're nice to watch, they're nice to see,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23they're nice for the grandkids and they're tranquil.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It's something nice for you just to sit in the garden
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and enjoy with your family.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Koi Carp can live to over 50.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The first two Andy bought are nearly 30 years old.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Daughter Gemma has grown up with them.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Dad got the pond when I was about 11 or 12 I think.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It grew from there.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Gradually, every fathers' day, birthdays, we'd buy him more
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and more fish. Since then, the love has grown.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50When we've had children, we've passed that love on to them.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Gemma lives down the road from her parents.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56She now has her own smaller pond of fish.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00But, for her and her children, including daughter Megan,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Grandad's pond is still the best.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05We'd just love to come down and feed them,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09and watch them swim about and gobble up all the food.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11"Oh, can we feed the fish? Can we feed the fish?"
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It is, it's a lovely atmosphere for them.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Everybody has a firm favourite.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20There was one silver fish and I'd named it Victoria Beckham,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24because it just reminded me of her with the sparkles and everything.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27The family have never had any problem with crime,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31but Gemma's husband has installed security cameras
0:15:31 > 0:15:33on the outside of their house.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37They're going to prove useful in a way they could never have expect it.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Andy and his wife have gone away on holiday.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43As usual, while they are away, daughter Gemma looks after
0:15:43 > 0:15:47her mum and dad's fish. But early on a Wednesday morning,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50she immediately knows there's something wrong.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Usually, when you go out to the pond,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54the first thing you see is the fish jumping. They sense you
0:15:54 > 0:15:56coming and they realise that they're going to get food
0:15:56 > 0:15:58straightaway. And there was nothing.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01All of the big fish had gone. Just panicked, really.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05With a ladder leaning against the garage wall opposite the pond,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09there's no doubt, somebody has deliberately fished out their fish.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12So, I quickly rang the police.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Gemma then checks her own pond, to find that she
0:16:14 > 0:16:17too is missing some of her fish.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20My husband actually suggested we checked the cameras, to see
0:16:20 > 0:16:22if they'd picked anything.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25This is what the cameras revealed.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Nearly 1.30am, three men holding buckets
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and a net walk around the side of Gemma's house.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Moments later, in the dim light, the camera in Gemma's back garden
0:16:36 > 0:16:40shows one of the buckets being placed on the ground.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Three shadowy figures move towards her pond.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46They stay for a few minutes,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49before heading towards Gemma's dad's garden.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51They collect their bucket.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54What we think they've then done is climbed over next door's garden
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and then down into my parents garden.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Out of view of Gemma's cameras, they then clear Andy's pond.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03They use his ladder to climb out over the garage.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06I think the most shocking thing was to know that somebody
0:17:06 > 0:17:10was in that close proximity and, yet, we weren't aware of it.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12They've just been right outside of my daughter Meg's window.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14When my mum told me,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I'd realised that the noises that I thought were just the wind
0:17:17 > 0:17:21wasn't, it was actually the men moving my fish out of the garden.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It took us a while to get her to calm down.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26And on a few nights she couldn't sleep.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29She was upset by the whole thing really.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33As thefts go, stealing a pond full of fish is fairly uncommon.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The police were really surprised when we contacted them.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38I don't think they'd even ever heard of it.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42They were really good, really supportive.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Gemma gives the police CCTV footage and they begin their investigation.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Then, with a heavy heart, Gemma makes a call abroad.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51So, then, I had to ring my dad.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53An awful phone call to have to make,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55because I know how much Mum and Dad love the fish.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Very upsetting, very annoyed,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01couldn't do anything sitting in Tenerife.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Obviously, it's bodged your holiday.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05It's just despicable.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10They've got no consideration for how people feel about their pets.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14When the police ask what the fish are worth, Andy has no idea.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I couldn't put a price on them, because you cannot value a pet,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19because it's not something you would sell.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22But, when Andy does look up how much his Koi Carp could be worth,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24he's stunned.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Anywhere from 1,000 to 30,000.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Quite astonished, really, that they were valued at that much.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36But the footage from Gemma's cameras means the net is about to
0:18:36 > 0:18:38tighten on these fish thieves.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41After the images are circulated around Sunderland,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44a local police officer recognises two of them.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47And the pair proved to be an easy catch.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51The police officer told us when he'd gone into their house,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53he'd actually found some of the Koi Carp in the bathtub.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56There were some still in the plastic trug buckets
0:18:56 > 0:18:59in the bathroom as well. And they were trying to hide them.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02The haul of exotic fish at the thieves' house
0:19:02 > 0:19:04comes from a number of ponds.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Amongst them, they find some of Andy and Gemma's carp.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12They shouldn't have done it because we'd looked after them for years.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15They just took them and thought nothing of it.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21In court, a 21-year-old and a 25-year-old man
0:19:21 > 0:19:24admit three counts of theft and criminal damage.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26They are both placed under curfew,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29electronically tagged for three months
0:19:29 > 0:19:31and ordered to pay compensation and costs.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Come on, we'll feed the fish.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Some of Andy's fish, including the eldest, were returned.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46He's now installed CCTV cameras and other security devices
0:19:46 > 0:19:50in his garden, to help keep a better eye on his freshly restocked pond.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Now, obviously, it's back to where it was,
0:19:54 > 0:19:55which is quite satisfying.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I was just pleased that my mum and dad managed to get some back,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01so they can enjoy some happiness again.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03We'll have the fish as long as I'm here.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05There'll always be fish in my family. Yeah.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Now, these two men are out on a day trip.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16Or rather, a day's tip.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Salford Council, in Greater Manchester,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27are cracking down on illegal rubbish dumping.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31One of those CCTV operators zooms in on this pair,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35who have been throwing bin bags and boxes out of their car.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39After watching this man with trouser trouble, and his buddy, kick
0:20:39 > 0:20:42rubbish into the buddleia, the operator then sets the camera
0:20:42 > 0:20:46into position ready to capture the number plate as they drive off.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50The council are shocked to discover that the car belongs to
0:20:50 > 0:20:53a man from Eastbourne, East Sussex.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57And that he has driven nearly 300 miles to fling
0:20:57 > 0:20:59out his junk in Salford.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03But his far flung fling is going to prove very expensive.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06He's taken to court and ordered to pay fines and costs,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09totalling £850.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Throw in the petrol costs on top of that
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and he really should have stayed at home.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27The Greater Manchester Police Serious And Organised Crime
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Group are on the trail of an aggressive gang of armed robbers.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34They've already raided two businesses at gunpoint
0:21:34 > 0:21:36and attempted to rob another,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39until they were foiled by the selfless actions
0:21:39 > 0:21:40of restaurant manager Ali.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44I think it's my responsibility to protect my staff.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46The guy with the shotgun, very loud, he said, "Don't turn.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48"If you go, I will shoot you."
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I didn't give him the chance to take any action.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54I just turned away and then went into the office.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57But now, the gang's crimes are starting to escalate.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02We then get hit with a double whammy and there's two offences in one day.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05They hold up a bookmaker's in Stratford, Manchester.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Then, 15 minutes later, they rob the shop a few miles away.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Over the next week, they hit more small businesses.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14This team were relentless.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Offences were being committed, on average, every three days.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We were playing catch up, trying to get clues that we needed to
0:22:20 > 0:22:22put these people behind bars.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25It was difficult, because no sooner had
0:22:25 > 0:22:28we made progression on one crime, and then there was another crime.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31But police are collecting evidence about these robbers.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34They wear similar clothes each time.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Distinctive bandannas,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40a grey hoodie and a blue hoodie with a yellow logo.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Despite carrying out so many armed robberies,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46the gang aren't getting away with large sums of money.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50They're committing offences at convenience stores,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52which is really low value they're going to get from them.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Three offenders committing an offence, getting £300 or £400.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58It indicates that there is a degree of desperation,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00in relation to these people.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And, alarmingly the gang are getting more aggressive, too.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06When they realise they're not getting as much as perhaps
0:23:06 > 0:23:09they want, they then target the female who is working there
0:23:09 > 0:23:10and rip her chain off her.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13She's got a gun in her face, she's got somebody else grabbing
0:23:13 > 0:23:17her from behind, her whole life must have just flashed in front of her.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19But the gang get a taste of their own medicine
0:23:19 > 0:23:23when they try to rob this mobile phone shop.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25It's Monday lunchtime.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28As before three raiders burst in, but this time
0:23:28 > 0:23:30they're in for a shock.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34A staff member throws a chair at the gunmen and there's another
0:23:34 > 0:23:38surprise for the robbers, this shop has its own gang
0:23:38 > 0:23:40of brave assistants.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44A large group of males in the back of the shop see what's going on
0:23:44 > 0:23:46and then they start to chase them out of the shop.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Now, it's the robbers turn to be alarmed.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51They run out, empty-handed.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54So, you're quite chuffed that they've not got anything
0:23:54 > 0:23:56and no-one's been harmed on this occasion.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58The concern from my perspective at that point is
0:23:58 > 0:24:01they've not got away with anything, these are desperate people,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04somebody else is going to be a victim of crime.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06And that's exactly what happens.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Just four hours later, they launch a raid on this bookmaker's shop.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Their actions are becoming more desperate.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15They're more ready to use force with staff
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and members of the public.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20They're starting to rob customers, taking mobile phones,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22taking jewellery from them, actually threatening them
0:24:22 > 0:24:24with shotguns as they were leaving.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26This must be the most frightening experience that these people
0:24:26 > 0:24:29will have ever had and are ever likely to have.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33It just increases our fear of what they're going to do next.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The police turn up the heat on the streets of Manchester
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and flood the area with officers.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40It goes quiet.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42For a short while there are no robberies.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46But then, Robert's team get a surprise call
0:24:46 > 0:24:48from Northamptonshire police.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51They have arrested three men after a couple are held hostage
0:24:51 > 0:24:53and robbed in their own home.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55We were made aware,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57because the three people who were arrested were from Manchester
0:24:57 > 0:25:00and, significantly, the fact that they had a sawn off shotgun.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03This could potentially be the same team.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06We then researched the people that were in custody.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10The men were stopped in a car, trying to escape.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14They are 20-year-old Kayode Freeman and 23-year-old Romahn Richards,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16from the Manchester area.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20And, importantly, the gunman, whose face was caught on camera,
0:25:20 > 0:25:2323-year-old Jake Prempeh.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Basically, he was from London, he'd come up to Manchester
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and associated with people in Manchester.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Could Prempeh and the other men be the gang
0:25:32 > 0:25:35responsible for the entire recent series of robberies?
0:25:35 > 0:25:38And that was really the start of where some really important
0:25:38 > 0:25:41pieces of the jigsaw just started to fit in.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45They find a treasure trove of evidence inside the car.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Grey and blue hoodies that match those worn in the robberies,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51as well as a bandanna and bright orange gloves.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And then, there is the shotgun.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57We've compared that to the CCTV footage of the firearm
0:25:57 > 0:25:59used in the offences.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01You can see the shape is all the same.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04They also seize mobile phones.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Robert and Richard can retrieve data from them
0:26:06 > 0:26:09and they discover further evidence against the men.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10They were really important.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13When we started to look where the phones had travelled to
0:26:13 > 0:26:15and the times of the offences, we were able to quickly
0:26:15 > 0:26:19ascertain that these people had been at the scenes of crime.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21And then some more proof.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25DNA from all three men is found on the clothes taken from the car.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29It proves each of them committed some or all of the raids.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32When you get the confirmation that it is our suspects,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36we can match the clothing to the CCTV, that is a bingo-type moment.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41In total, the gang have committed nine armed or attempted armed
0:26:41 > 0:26:45robberies. Despite their aggression, they have stolen just six grand.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48The behaviour of that gang was absolutely disgusting.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Clearly, they had no regard at all for any other person,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54other than themselves.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59In court the robbers plead guilty.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Jake Prempeh is jailed for 15 years, seven months.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Omar Berryman and Kayode Freeman, who took part in some
0:27:09 > 0:27:12of the robberies, are given six years and four months
0:27:12 > 0:27:14and six years and eight months respectively.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18And Romahn Richards is sentenced to eight years
0:27:18 > 0:27:20and four months in prison.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25We were really pleased with the convictions.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27A real feeling of success.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30And the fact that we put some dangerous criminals behind bars.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31And, hopefully, for the victims,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34they can get on with their lives and they can move on.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36And restaurant manager Ali,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40who outwitted the robbers the day they tried to rob him,
0:27:40 > 0:27:44is glad no other victims will suffer at the hands of this gang.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It's good they've been arrested
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and at least they going to stop doing this.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I was very happy.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56That's it for today.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Join us next time,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02when police and the public catch more criminals red-handed.