The gang, from Wolverhampton, would spend hours at the sites stealing metal and other goods using heavy rigs and machinery.

They stole vehicles from companies and used others on cloned plates to transport equipment to their base in Watery Lane, Wolverhampton.

The criminals then allegedly sold the metal to unscrupulous scrap dealers.

Police say they went to great lengths to avoid arrest as three members of the gang used 17 mobile phones between them during the crime spree.

Many were struck over the Christmas holidays, when the gang thought the risk of being disturbed was lower.

They filmed some of their raids on their own mobile phones, referring to themselves in one clip as “Sticky Bandits” – in reference to the burglars in the Home Alone films.

On one occasion, they drew an obscene picture on the floor of a business and wrote “Merry Christmas.” Good year.’

A gang member filmed a business near a cemetery as part of a reconnaissance.

In a voice note, the scammer said: “Do you think I’m sad that I made it look like I was crying at a grave just so I could inspect the building?”

During one raid, gang members laughed as the crime recording said: “Tacky bandits.” To like. To like.’

They were arrested after detectives used CCTV and phone recordings to identify the gang who were arrested in a series of dawn raids last June.

The total loss of materials and vehicles cost businesses £1.6 million, while damage to buildings amounted to around £200,000.

Lost sales and the costs of increased security and increased insurance premiums amounted to more than £800,000.

Five men later admitted plotting to burglarize commercial premises between December 2022 and June last year.

They were jailed for more than 30 years in total at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week.

Adam Shakespeare, 31, was jailed for six years and five months; while David Smith, 36, Lee Fletcher, 33, and Royston Hallard, 30, were each jailed for six years and four months.

David Williams, 44, sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

Detective Constable Kelly Whyte, from West Midlands Police’s Proactive Major Crime Unit, said: “This was serious, organized and professional crime on an industrial scale, which saw the theft of materials and vehicles valued at over £1.6 million, not to mention the business disruption and emotional impact on those affected.

“They concentrated on sites away from homes and struck during holiday periods, when they knew the risk of being disturbed was lower.”