A 'BRAZEN' gang of thugs have been jailed for more than 70 years after 10 robberies across Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

The four men, two from Oldham, attacked staff dealing with cash-in-transit with hammers. The group carrying out 10 armed robberies in the space of just five weeks between November 2018 and January 2019.

In an attempted getaway, their car smashed into a bridge.

During the ten robberies, the gang made off with approximately £87,500 before they were finally captured.

Detectives investigating the robberies began to notice the 'striking similarities' between the crimes.

The gang was finally caught as the men came from an armed robbery at a bank in Halifax on January 31 2019.

Police say the men 'stuck to their tried and tested tactics and approached the guard as he was making a delivery of cash at the bank', attacking the guard with hammers before fleeing the scene with cash.

The prolific gang always made off in a car bearing false registration plates, but they were found out as officers sighted the offending car just 10 minutes later.

The car crashed into a bridge and the men were hauled out and detained.

Detective Seargent Rick Castley, of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “This was a brazen group of individuals who had no regard for the safety of others as they flouted the law in pursuit for gains.

“I would like to commend the dedicated team who have been committed to this investigation and who today, have seen justice prevail. I hope these prison sentences serve as a stark reminder that we will leave no stone unturned in our investigations.”

Abubakir Iqbal, of Countess Street in Accrington, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery after a trial.

Sajjad Hussain, of St James Road in Salford, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery after a trial.

Shazad Mahmood, Edward Street in Oldham, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading to of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Anas Khan, of Landseer Street in Oldham, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading to of conspiracy to commit robbery/money laundering/handling stolen goods.