Four prolific burglars have been jailed after they targeted homes in Stockport to steal high-value cars.

The four men would look for luxury, high-performance vehicles - they would then break into the homes, steal the keys, and then drive off in the car.

Among the offences were burglaries at addresses in Stockport, Marple and Glossop, where victims were left distressed after discovering offenders had entered their homes while they slept.

A subsequent police investigation took place, which revealed the four burglars had been targeting homes from December 2024 to June 2025.

Police officers seized devices and found images of stolen vehicles, suspected cloned registration plates, and burglary tools.

Evidence recorded by detectives also showed stolen vehicles shortly after they had been taken, along with messages discussing the onward sale process.

Findings also suggested that the four were involved in a wider pattern of burglary across Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.

The sentences are as follows:

• Ethan Cannon (24/08/2006) of was Ardenfield, Denton was sentenced to 88 months.
• Callum Sweeney (22/01/2001) of Stringer Avenue, Hattersley was sentenced to 73 months.
• Ashley Kershaw (09/09/2002) of Sheffield Road, Hyde was sentenced to 76 months.
• Jack Lupton (02/11/2004) of Montagu Street, Compstall was sentenced to 40 months.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has said these sentences form part of Operation Castle, a project designed to reduce burglary across Greater Manchester.

The operation launched five years ago, with the aim of sending an officer to every reported burglary.

Since then, residential burglary has decreased by a third since May 2021, with 456 fewer victims per month alongside a 15 percent decrease in business and community burglary.

Conversely, burglary arrests have gone up, meaning GMP have gone from arresting at one in 15 burglaries five years ago to one in five now.

Furthermore, crime Scene Investigators attend and examine every residential burglary where they are required.

Over the past 12 months on average, they attended 924 residential burglaries force wide per month.

Detective Superintendent Paul Rollinson, who leads Operation Castle for GMP, said: "Before launching Operation Castle in July 2021, it was clear that we weren't doing enough to support victims of burglaries.

"When the Chief Constable joined five years ago, he made a commitment that officers would attend every burglary scene. I am proud that we continually do this across the force.

"Burglary is a horribly intrusive crime but thanks to the collective efforts of our officers and staff, people in Greater Manchester are now less likely to be burgled and more likely to see offenders brought to justice.

"Since its creation in Greater Manchester, Operation Castle continues to deliver strong results. We have invested in enhanced training for officers and staff to strengthen the investigative skills needed to prevent and solve burglary offences.

"The success of the Operation Castle pilot in Greater Manchester has also helped shape national policing policy. Following the results achieved here, the Home Office announced that all police forces in England and Wales would be required to attend every report of a domestic burglary, ensuring victims receive the service they deserve.

"Dedicated burglary teams were set up across local districts, and Operation Castle continues to utilise resources across the force to promote crime prevention, improve detections, and also improve confidence that an attendance at every burglary achieves."