By Andrew Bardsley

Copyright manchestereveningnews

A gang which carried out organised ram raids at businesses across Greater Manchester caused at least £260,000 worth of losses to firms. The outfit targeted business premises across the region, using the same modus operandi. Thieves would ram raid the shutters to force them open, or would instead would use tools to gain access to properties and make off with their loot. One of the thieves, ‘career criminal’ Danny Cawley from Oldham , has been jailed for six years for his part in what a judge described as ‘very serious, professionally planned and targeted burglaries’. He acted as the driver for the gang, and pleaded guilty to 25 counts of burglary, and a further count of attempted burglary. Minshull Street Crown Court heard that collectively, damage or theft worth at least £260,000 had been caused to the businesses affected. Prosecuting, Hayley Bennett told how the crime spree ran from April to August last year. Sign up to the MEN Court newsletter here Firms in Stockport , Trafford Park, Rochdale , Oldham and Salford were among those to be targeted. Greater Manchester Police launched a dedicated operation to tackle the thefts. Another offender has been identified, while the identity of a third remains unknown. A businesswoman who runs a salon in Ashton-under-Lyne which was targeted by the gang told of her concern for her staff following the incident. She said: “I am worried about their mental well being, I want my staff to feel safe when they come to work.” Defending Cawley, Mark Fireman said that the defendant had become involved after racking up gambling debts. Judge Tina Landale told Cawley: “You pleaded guilty to a number of commercial burglaries across the Greater Manchester region. “Most of those offences involved ram raiding the shutters or tools were used to cut through the shutters in order to enter the commercial properties. This was very serious, professionally planned and targeted burglaries.” The judge said that as the gang’s driver, Cawley had played a ‘crucial role’. She added: “The offences have caused anxiety, stress and insecurity with significant financial impact. “At least £260,000 worth of damage and theft was caused over a three month period. You are a career criminal. There is, in reality, little mitigation.” Cawley, of Huddersfield Road, Oldham, was told he would serve at least 40 per cent of his sentence behind bars before being released on licence.