A brother and sister from Dunstable have been jailed for more than five years after a two-week burglary spree across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Jesse Loveridge, 45, of High Street North, Dunstable, and Sarah-Jane Loveridge, 50, of Beech Green, Dunstable, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and were each sentenced to five years and three months behind bars after appearing at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday (January 31).

A cross-border investigation led by Bedfordshire Police’s specialist burglary team, Operation Maze, found that Jesse and Sarah-Jane Loveridge were responsible for multiple burglaries and attempted burglaries in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire in May last year.

Cars, coats and bank cards were among the items stolen during early-morning break-ins at addresses in Dunstable and Hemel Hempstead.

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Detectives identified the siblings through CCTV and doorbell footage from the scenes of the offences, despite their efforts to conceal their identities by wearing face masks.

"Jesse and Sarah-Jane Loveridge targeted properties during the early hours of the morning, taking advantage of vulnerable homes while occupants were likely to be asleep," said Operation Maze’s Detective Constable Jason Wheeler, who led the investigation.

"Their actions show a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of those directly impacted by their criminal activities.

"Burglary causes a great deal of distress for victims, so we will persist in our efforts, collaborating with other forces wherever necessary, to tackle this issue and hold those responsible accountable."