A TEAM of burglars who targeted shops and chemists all over the country were jailed for a total of eight years yesterday.

The gang, all from Sunderland, hid surveillance equipment in roof spaces to obtain the alarm key codes used by staff.

They then entered the stores at night using the correct code and stole large quantities of cash and cigarettes.

In North Yorkshire, they targeted stores in York, Ripon, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside.

Between April 23 and April 25 last year, 50 officers from North Yorkshire teamed up with Northumbria Police, arresting nine people and searching 12 houses.

Seven men were charged and convicted at Leeds Crown Court last month for conspiracy to burgle.

Yesterday they were sentenced. John Thomas Campbell, 42, received two-and-a- half years, Brian Ganley, 38, received nine months, suspended for a year, Michael Sim, 43, was given a six-month curfew order with tagging, and Terence Walker, 39, was jailed for two years.

Tony Hall, 37, David Hawkes, 45, and Lee Metcalfe, 30 were each sentenced to 21 months in prison.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Dai Malyn, said: "They operated for many years and I am pleased their activities have finally been brought to an end."