"Largest ever raid targets consumer electronics and car keys"

From the BBC:

More than 1,000 burglars have taken part in the largest ever number of co-ordinated break-ins in London.

At least 52 of them were arrested in botched burglaries in east and north London in an operation targeting expensive consumer electronics and car keys. The Metropolitan Police said more than 750 addresses were raided in the early hours.

In a statement the force said that hundreds of electrical items including phones and laptops had been stolen. All of those arrested are at various police stations pending further inquiries, said police.

Burglars worked in specialist teams in what the Met called the largest ever "pre-planned single housebreaking operation". Homes were also burgled in Haringey, Hackney and Brighton.

Ahead of the earlier operation, belongings worth about £100,000 were stolen and "hundreds" were sold to their new "owners" in pubs and car boot sales. Des "The Snake" McHugh, who led the raids, said the arrests were part and parcel of being in the breaking and entering game and wished each of his "fallen comrades" a speedy trial and an early release on a technicality.