A prolific cigarette thief who raided petrol stations in Swaffham and Wymondham has been jailed for four years.

Jamie Channon, 37, from the Tilbury area of Essex, was part of an organised crime group that targeted a number of convenience stores and petrol stations across several counties.

The total value of their haul was estimated at around £60,000.

He stole from Waitrose Petrol Station in Swaffham on February 8 and cigarettes and alcohol worth £3,511 from the Esso Garage in Wymondham, on May 31.

Channon was ordered to hand back £4,951 in cash which was seized at the time of his arrest.

The gang would typically use crowbars to gain entry into each store and then make off with large quantities of cigarettes which they stowed away in duvet covers brought to the scene.

Other offences were carried out at Spa Stores, Melton, Suffolk and locations in Surrey, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Dorset and Somerset.

The investigation was led by Surrey police.

Temporary detective chief inspector Colin Pirie said: 'Channon is a prolific offender who has brought no end of misery and inconvenience to those retail outlets who have been targeted. He seems to think he's beyond the law and even had the arrogance to commit an offence while on home leave from prison.

'I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the relentless work undertaken by the investigation team led by DS Dave Warner and in particular the officer in the case PC Rachel Pickering and IO Nicholas Hemmant to bring this individual to justice.

'I hope this sentence sends a message to others that we will pursue offenders beyond our borders and put them before the courts to ensure our communities are safe.'

He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on October 13.