The police officers who put a violent Ilford street gang behind bars were commended for their work at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Pc Rob Chapman, Pc Aaron Wilkinson, Pc Gary Bowling, Pc Demi Lytra and seven of their colleagues were awarded for their dedication and detective ability at the event at the Jack Carter Pavilion in Fencepiece Road.
The self-styled “Lox Gang” stole almost £10,000 in sophisticated robberies targeting people taking large amounts of cash from banks.
A “spotter” would wait in queues in banks watching for people withdrawing large amounts of cash, then text accomplices the target’s description.
The gang would follow the victim and rob them when they got the chance.
The teenagers also mugged people for handbags, laptops and mobile phones.
The 13 members were sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison in May 2012
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