Camden family gang jailed for prolific spree of moped robberies
Alamin, Shalim and Khaled Kazi (l to r) - Credit: Archant
Three members of a Camden family have been jailed for being part of an organised moped gang responsible for a “prolific” crime spree across London.
Following the arrest of the members of the Kazi family, after a year-long undercover police operation, moped enabled crime in parts of London dropped by a quarter, detectives say.
Blackfriars Crown Court heard how the organised gang were responsible for stealing and selling mopeds and using the bikes to rob pedestrians across Camden, Islington and Westminster.
Alamin Kazi, 23, Khalid Kazi 22, and Shalim Kazi, 19, all of Plender Street, Camden, admitted a total of 25 charges of moped enabled robbery, stealing mopeds and selling stolen mopeds between them.
The court heard all the gang members took turns at driving the mopeds or being the passenger and most robberies took place at bus stops.
They were arrested on January 28 following a year-long undercover operation by the Metropolitan Police Roads and Transport unit.
Detectives seized £195,000 of stolen property and vehicles.
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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “For a three-month period following the arrest of the gang, a 24 per cent decrease in thefts of motorbikes and mopeds was seen in the key boroughs of Camden, Islington, City of Westminster and Tower Hamlets.”
Det Supt Adnan Qureshi of the MPS Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was a fantastic result, which has seen a prolific gang taken out of action.
“The Met is working with industry to get mopeds and motorcycles better protected against theft with improved security measures.
“I want to send a strong message to individuals who use powered two wheelers on London’s roads to commit crime that they are making a dangerous choice, which potentially puts themselves and other members of the public, including police officers, at risk.”
Alamin Kazi, 23, was jailed for three and a half years after admitting two charges of robbery, charges of handling stolen motorbikes and scooters and a mobile phone and two charges of theft of a scooter and motobike and attempted theft of a camera.
Khalid Kazi 22, was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to two charges of robbery, charges of aggravated vehicle taking and handling stolen goods
Shalim Kazi, 19, was sentenced to one and half years in prison for conspiracy to handle stolen goods, handling stolen goods and two charges of theft of motor vehicles and possessing items for fraud.
Another associate, Alfie Warry, 18, of Baldwin Gardens, Camden, who admitted handling stolen goods and possessing a stun gun, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for one and a half years.