A GANG has been jailed for a total of 24 years for a cross-border crime spree that saw cars stolen to raid homes and businesses in violent daylight robberies.

Greater Manchester Police say the four-man robbery gang 'terrorised' Leigh and Warrington over the summer of 2013.

Nicola Wright, aged 39, from Warrington, would drive around boyfriend Lee Makin, aged 29, from Leigh to commit 33 robberies.

They were joined by Daniel Atherton, aged 27, from Leigh, and Lee Harper, aged 33, from Atherton.

The criminals would steal cars, fit them with false registration plates and break into houses, and businesses like letting agents, amusement arcades and a garage.

When looting commercial properties, a rope would be tied from a car to a security shutter, in an attempt to pull it off.

If successful they would smash their way into the building and steal goods from within.

They were also responsible for five business robberies when members of the public or staff were present.

All but one happened during daylight trading hours, with victims threatened and intimidated.

The offences occurred between May and July 2013 across Leigh and Warrington.

Makin, Atherton and Harper carried out the robberies, with Wright used as a getaway driver.

On July 18, 2013, Wright was seen driving in tandem with a saloon car.

"The saloon car, which was being pursued, drove off at speed and an officer from Cheshire Police, aware of an ongoing pursuit, followed Wright.

Items stolen in a previous burglary were recovered from her car.

The pursuit of the saloon car continued into Wigan and Leigh from Cheshire, followed by traffic officers and air support.

Makin and Atherton abandoned the car on Queensway in Leigh and officers on the ground were directed to their location by air support.

Around £94,000 worth of property was damaged or stolen over the course of their offending.

The gang was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Makin and Atherton, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit burglary, were jailed for seven years.

Harper, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, was jailed for eight years.

Wright, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, was jailed for two years.

Det Con Lynsey Watson, from GMP, said: “It is no exaggeration to that say that these four terrorised the Leigh and Warrington areas over a period of several weeks.

“Collectively they conspired to commit serious acquisitive crime for their own ends and did not at any point give a second thought to the trail of devastation they left behind.

“They targeted businesses and homes indiscriminately.

“A lot of time and effort went into identifying this gang and bringing them to justice and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved."