Jewellery robbers are jailed

The raid was caught on the CCTV system

A gang of robbers who smashed their way into a jeweller's shop in a busy shopping centre have been jailed for a total of 41 years.

The five all pleaded guilty to the robbery at King's Jewellers at Salford precinct.

Four of the gang were recorded on CCTV, smashing the front of the business with an axe, sledgehammer and baseball bat, in front of shoppers.

They stole more watches and jewellery valued at more than £20,000.

The citizens of Salford and Greater Manchester are well protected from a desperate gang of people

DI Joe Hennigan

Armed officers surrounded the getaway car and four shots were fired at it.

Two hit the driver Robert Ives, 20, of Littleton Road, Salford, in the abdomen.

Both Ives, and a 17-year-old youth, were sentenced to seven years each at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, for their parts in the robbery.

Bradley Walker, 19, of Towyn Avenue, Salford, and Craig Lee Ives, 19, of Littleton Road, were sentenced to nine years each at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Ian Edwards, 19, of Gardner Street, Salford, was sentenced to nine years and another six months for an unrelated assault.

Detective Inspector Joe Hennigan, of Greater Manchester, said: "The citizens of Salford and Greater Manchester are well protected from a desperate gang of people.

"They will let nothing stand in their way to steal what they want to steal and to get away."