A gang of prolific burglars who posted rap tunes on YouTube taunting the police about their success, has been jailed.

One of the thugs, who left messages on the mobile phone of the investigating officer saying they would not be caught by Christmas, was arrested on December 23.

The six gangsters from Croydon, who burgled properties in Sutton, were sentenced to a total of nine years in prison at Croydon Crown Court on Friday.

The leader Matthew Murtagh, 20, left messages on the phone of the investigating officer saying “You’ll never find me”, and “I’ll be celebrating Christmas with my mates”.

He was arrested two days before Christmas, hiding out at a bed and breakfast.

The criminals called themselves the Night Crawlers. They uploaded the videos under the name NC Bangers featuring members boasting about their exploits, hailing themselves as “notorius [sic] criminals” who would never be caught.

The youths targeted residential homes, swooping late at night when their victims were asleep and stole high-performance cars with their keys.

Acting Detective Inspector Lee Hill, of the London Crime Squad, said: “Burglary is a heinous crime, which can have a devastating impact on its victims.”

Murtagh, from Brighton Road, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and numberplates and handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.

Michael Hunte, 19, of Old Lodge Lane, Kenley, was sentenced to two years, six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle .

Lee I’Anson, 20, of Haling Park Road, was given a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods.

Kevin McBarron, 20, of Eldridge Road, was given 18 months’ prison for handling stolen property, which included two Mercedes.

Daryl Axten, 20, of Caterham Drive, Coulsdon, was given 12 months in prison after admitting two counts of burglary.

Christopher Brookes, 19, of Court Road, Caterham, was jailed for a year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.