The Met Police has explained how it brought down a gang responsible for 35 robberies across east London. 

CCTV footage released by the Metropolitan Police on Facebook last week (October 11) shows young men wearing balaclavas robbing people on buses, in train stations and in shops. 

The group predominantly targeted young people, threatening them with knives to make them hand over expensive items like phones and designer accessories. 

The majority of the 35 robberies linked to the group took place in Dagenham, although some happened in Tower Hamlets and Hackney. 

The Met Police said officers identified the thugs by trawling through hours of CCTV footage and tracking their mobile phones. 

Kenzie Taylor, described as being at the centre of the conspiracyKenzie Taylor, described as being at the centre of the conspiracy (Image: Met Police) Kenzie Taylor, 19, of Barge Walk in Greenwich, was identified as being at the centre of the conspiracy. 

Taylor was jailed for two and a half years at Snaresbrook Crown Court last December.

Meanwhile Bilal Ashfaq, 25, of Vicarage Road in Leyton, was identified as being the group’s handler, facilitating the sale of stolen goods. 

In July Ashfaq was given a two year sentence suspended for 18 months by a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Bilal Ashfaq, who was the group's 'handler'Bilal Ashfaq was the group's 'handler' (Image: Met Police) Many of the devices were tracked to countries around the world including Pakistan, Ghana and Ukraine. 

In a video released on social media, the Met Police said: “This was not just a series of random attacks, it was a well-organised operation with a clear hierarchy.

"The victims, predominantly young people, were left shaken by the threat of violence, often at knifepoint during these robberies.

"They targeted high value items, including mobile phones and designer clothing.

"Using meticulous evidence gathering techniques, officers matched suspects to robbery scenes."

A spokesperson explained that this was done through side-by-side comparisons of suspects and CCTV images alongside identifications by victims.

Phone data also played "a key role", they added, showing communications between Taylor and Ashfaq and tracing stolen phones abroad.

Nine of the group were arrested in a series of coordinated raids on August 24 last year. 

They have now been sentenced to a variety of penalties ranging from jail time to community orders.