TWO persistent criminals have been jailed again this time for stealing £1.9m worth of goods in a two-month burglary spree.

Jamie Golding, aged 20, of Craydene Road, Slade Green, and Darren Gallagher, aged 21, of Slade Gardens, Slade Green, were both sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail at Maidstone Crown Court on January 30.

They admitted a total of 171 burglaries committed in the Bexley area and in Kent in autumn last year.

The pair, who were not long out of prison, targeted properties where large televisions and plasma screens were visible from the street or where expensive cars were parked in view.

Investigating officer DC Geoff Cloke said: "The extent of their criminal activity was so prolific they were carrying out up to six burglaries in any one day and, in total, stole property valued at more than £1.9m."

Police have recovered more than 80 per cent of the stolen goods, worth around £1.2m.

In 2002 Gallagher and Golding were part of a gang of five youths handed anti-social behaviour orders for terrorising the Slade Green area where they lived.

The orders ran out in October last year.

In 2003, the pair were jailed for their part in a £300,000 car stealing ring operating across Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

Gallagher was jailed for 17 months. Golding, who went on the run after being granted bail, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years.

They mainly preyed on unsuspecting motorists who left their car keys in the ignition when paying for petrol or using cash machines.