Islington smash and grab motorbike gang which targeted luxury West End stores convicted.

A group of youths has been convicted for its part in a series of motorbike smash and grab raids on luxury West End stores.

The seven-strong gang from Islington were part of an organised criminal network that stole �1million worth of goods from the likes of Apple, Anya Hindmarch, Christian Dior, Loewe, and Mulberry between April and October 2011.

Steven Dedman, 20 of Wharton Street, King’s Cross, Reece Jackson, of no fixed abode, and Paul Fearn, 21, of Goswell Road, Farringdon would escape on bikes travelling at more than 100mph through red lights.

Southwark Crown Court heard Dedman, 20, even had a cake made for his 18th birthday depicting a motorbike with riders surrounded by handbags.

Dedman and Jackson, 19, who earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, were found guilty yesterday (Wednesday) of robbery.

Fearn was convicted of burglary in relation to the theft of �50,000 of property from Apple in Covent Garden and Grant McCarroll, of Offord Road, Finsbury, 19 was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Three others – Lizzie Andrews, 19, of Radnor Street, Islington, Dean Cole, 24 of Cornwallis Square, Archway and Bradley White, 20 of George’s Road, Holloway – had also earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and both White and Andrews to conspiracy to possess criminal property.

The court heard police first became involved in early 2011 after linking a series of smash and grabs in the West End.

Officers took part in more than 100 night’s of surveillance on the team during which they identified a car park in King’s Cross used by Dedman and his gang to store bikes.

The court heard Dedman was identified by his distinct pair of trainers, and he was tracked down to his address by officers.

However, he escaped by leaping across rooftops and subsequently went on the run. Police said he was found after McCarroll arranged to visit Andrews while she was on remand in prison.

After following him home, officers found Dedman hiding under a bed.

In total, the group was responsible for 46 offences carried out in central London between April and October 2011.

Det Sgt Alan Stimson, from the Westminster Crime Squad, said: “They were a danger to anyone around when carrying out these raids, they acted without consideration for others and put many lives in danger with the reckless way in which they rode through London when attempting to evade capture.

“The group were responsible for a series of offences and since their arrest we have seen a 90 per cent drop in smash and grabs.”

The defendants will be sentenced on January 11.