A prolific burglar from west London who specifically targeted elderly and vulnerable residents has been handed a nine-year prison sentence following a successful collaboration between the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, local officers, and the community. Luke Connors, a 23-year-old resident of Attewood Road, Northolt, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery after a two-week trial. He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, July 3, after the guilty verdict was delivered on Thursday, June 29.
Detective Superintendent Simon Moring, representing the Met’s Flying Squad, commended the joint effort in bringing Connors to justice, stating, “Luke Connors committed violent burglaries in north and west London. By listening and working with residents, we were able to investigate, detain, and convict him for his heinous offenses.”
The court heard that Connors was involved in a series of burglaries spanning from August 31, 2022, to October 28, 2022. One of the incidents occurred on September 4, when a man in his 70s, returning home from a pub in Ickenham, noticed individuals wearing masks acting suspiciously. Unbeknownst to the victim, the defendants followed him in their car to his residence. Upon reaching his home, he was punched and stabbed with a screwdriver before the perpetrators stole his vehicle’s dashcam.
The residents of Ickenham’s Neighbourhood Watch and other local community members rallied together, providing crucial CCTV footage to the police. This information led the officers to identify the vehicle used by the offenders. Collaborating with local officers in north and west London, as well as police forces in Hertfordshire and Thames Valley, the Flying Squad uncovered 11 linked series of burglaries.
The stolen items, including cash, jewelry, and high-value possessions, amounted to an estimated value of £200,000. Detectives established the connection between the crimes through the use of vehicles and stolen goods. By working closely with local neighborhood watch teams, the detectives were able to gather the necessary evidence.
A resident from Ickenham Neighbourhood Watch expressed gratitude for the police’s investigation, acknowledging the impact the assault had on their community. They emphasised the importance of community support in fighting crime, stating, “Residents were understandably very nervous, afraid even of giving evidence against the perpetrators. However, we all realise that unless our communities step forward and support our police, then the criminals have won, and we descend into a state of lawlessness.”
The meticulous investigation involved reviewing extensive CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) data, as well as conducting surveillance. On Tuesday, November 1, Connors was apprehended in Paddington Green, leading to his subsequent charging.
Two additional individuals were also arrested, charged, and await trial in connection with the burglaries.
