A GANG who were involved in 43 thefts across five counties have been jailed after appearing at Nottingham Crown Court.
The three men broke into garages, farm outbuildings and homes and Nottinghamshire Police said they stole thousands of pounds worth of vehicles.
Darren Green, 29, of Kedleston Road, Worksop, Mason Holt, 23, of Dickens Road, Worksop, Joseph Foster, 26, of Manton Crescent, Manton, targeted addresses across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Humberside, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
The trio pleaded guilty to the crimes which took place between October 2013 and March this year.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, Holt was sentenced to eight years and four months, Foster was jailed for six years and three months, and Green was sent to prison for seven years and four months.
DCI Caroline Racher, who oversaw the investigation, said: "This required a large-scale policing operation that spanned five counties. Holt, Foster and Green preyed on rural communities, targeting keys inside the properties to steal cars and other high-value vehicles such as quad bikes.
"Their actions made people feel vulnerable in their own homes and this sense of personal invasion should never be underestimated.
"We had a number of officers working on this operation, but it was a real team effort across the force with other specialist resources supporting us to put these people before the court.
"We are pleased with the sentences handed down and hope this gives justice to those whose possessions were stolen or who had to deal with the aftermath of having their homes broken into."
Clint Brammer, 25, of Suffolk Road, Bircotes, is awaiting sentence in connection with these offences.
