Local News

A complex investigation by Surrey's Serious Organised Crime Unit has seen five prolific criminals jailed for their roles in an industrial-scale theft of plant machinery and vehicles across the south-east totalling approximately £750,000. The crime spree included sites in Farnham, Guildford, Woking and the surrounding areas. Evidence showed Paul Jones and Michael Burrows to be the ‘ringleaders’ of the group. Most stolen items were one-tonne dumper trucks and mini diggers, and many were taken during the hours of darkness from building sites or yards. Once stolen, the machines would have their identities changed with vehicle identification numbers (VINs) switched out for cloned details so they could be sold on. Certificates were also obtained from an internationally recognised database that made them appear genuine. In addition to plant machinery, the investigation team identified several stolen vehicles including high value motor homes which had been altered in the same way. Paul Jones was the starting point of the investigation due to concerns being raised about machines sold by him online. During a text message exchange, Jones boasted about being 'the biggest machine ringing firm in the South of England'. He could be linked to stolen machines/vehicles with a value of approximately £500,000. Jones was also in partnership with William Bath with the proceeds of their criminality enabling them to purchase Cinderella's nightclub in Guildford. Jones paid a £50,000 deposit as well as other fees to support its refurbishment and set up. When Bath was arrested in January 2020, officers also uncovered a large cannabis factory in an outbuilding next to his address. Many of the stolen machines were supplied to Jones by Michael Burrows. Despite having no declared form of legitimate income, nearly £220,000 passed through a bank account belonging to Burrows in just a six-month period in 2018. Further funds were directed through other accounts which could be linked to him. A mobile phone seized from Burrows also contained hundreds of images of stolen and suspected stolen plant. Mark Grant also received stolen machinery at his yard in Normandy. A CCTV unit was recovered by police from these premises which showed Grant loading the stolen machinery into foreign registered articulated trucks. When police attended his premises, a cannabis factory was located in an outbuilding. A further cannabis factory was located at his father Lee Grant’s address in Normandy. At Chichester Crown Court last week, the group were sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Paul Jones, 40 (DOB: 03/05/1985), of Woking, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods, theft and money laundering and was sentenced to seven years and two months.

William Bath, 40 (DOB:12/10/1985), of Billingshurst, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods and production of cannabis and was sentenced to four years and three months.

Mark Grant, 36 (DOB: 26/06/1989), of Ash, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and was sentenced to four years.

Michael Burrows, 52 (14/12/1973) of Odiham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods and was sentenced to three years and four months.

John Burrows, 33 (DOB: 22/09/1992) of Normandy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods and was sentenced to one year and four months.

The Surrey Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit led an investigation into an Organised Crime Group (OCG) responsible for large-scale thefts of plant machinery and vehicles worth more than £347,000, resulting in two members being jailed for their roles.

On the 27th January four men were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court:

James Sayers, 36 (DOB 02/01/1990), of Bramley has been sentenced to 3 years for conspiracy to steal.

Freddie Stevens, 22 (DOB 04/06/2003) of Bordon has been sentenced to 3 years for conspiracy to steal, burglary and theft of two of motor vehicles.

James Smith, 38, (DOB 15/05/1987), of Guildford has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for conspiracy to steal.

Ben Price, 45 (DOB 16/10/1980), of Guildford has been sentenced to 12 months for handling stolen goods. Price was released at court due to time served on remand.

The machines and vehicles were generally stolen during the hours of darkness from building sites, car parks and the driveways of residential properties. The OCG operated using six “mission vehicles”, most of which were stolen and used cloned number plates that they switched regularly. Their thefts predominantly targeted high value 4X4s such as Land Rovers and Range Rovers, as well as vans to transport small plant machinery. Once stolen, both vehicles and machinery were parked and left for several days before being moved on to their end destination. While on bail, Stevens took part in further criminality. He assisted with the theft of two Range Rovers, which were subsequently used in a burglary of Clayden & Co Jewellers in Bognor Regis. One of these was driven into the metal gate at the shopfront, enabling Stevens to enter the building and empty the display cabinets of jewellery before fleeing the scene. Both vehicles were later set on fire, one in Hampshire and the other in West Sussex. The owner of Clayden & Co Jewellers confirmed that almost his entire stock, valued at approximately £30,000, had been stolen, with a further £20,000 worth of damage caused to the premises. A forensic examination of the scene identified blood splatters on the shattered glass and around the damaged display cabinets. DNA analysis of the blood produced a positive match to Freddie Stevens. He was subsequently arrested when he attended the police station as part of his bail conditions. Detective Constable Alex Boxall who led the investigation said: “This is not a victimless crime. These thieves deliberately target small businesses, leaving owners unable to work and facing crippling costs. “Many contractors rely on a single machine to earn their living, and the loss can force them into debt or even liquidation. “Criminals view this as a low‑risk, high‑reward offence because they believe owners are soft targets. “Today’s outcome sends a clear message that this type of offending will not be treated with leniency.”

Surrey Police officers supported a multi-force operation alongside regional colleagues to target county lines criminality and those using our road network to move drugs, weapons and cash. Activity like this helps disrupt organised crime groups operating across borders and keeps our communities safer by preventing violence, exploitation and drug-related harm. Enforcement activity like this will continue as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle serious and organised crime.

Following the publication of the Police Reform White Paper today (26 January), please see our statement below:

We support the strategic aims of the police reform programme – the need for policing to be in the best position it can be for the future, keep pace with modern threats and deliver better and more affordable services to our communities. It is important that local policing is strengthened and expanded, and we look forward to seeing more of, and influencing, the detail of the proposals as we go forwards.  As always, our priority remains the safety of our communities and that will not change as we navigate this new stage of policing.