Members of a robbery gang who carried out a string of raids between 2008 and 2010, including a sledgehammer attack on jewellers in Great Yarmouth, have been jailed at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

Seventeen people have been jailed for a total of more than 130 years and a further 12 gang members were yesterday awaiting sentence.

The gang targeted jewellers across London and the south of England and even carried out one raid in Antwerp, Belgium.

In Yarmouth, Cox and Son jewellers in Northgate Street was attacked by masked men in November 2008. They stole watches before being forced out of the shop by a member of staff who gave chase and smashed a window of the getaway car with a chair.

Det Insp Jason Prins, of the Met's flying squad, said: 'These sentences are the result of a lengthy operation. We targeted these violent individuals who have shown they were prepared to use significant force.'