Frank Stanley and Tom Smith Jailed for Series of Burglaries in Two Counties
Two young men, Frank Stanley (21) and Tom Smith (20), have been jailed after being convicted of multiple burglaries in Central Bedfordshire and Leicestershire.
The pair were caught following an investigation by Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Maze, a specialist burglary unit. Their crimes included a terrifying break-in in Leicestershire where homeowners locked themselves in the bathroom as Stanley and Smith ransacked their property.
The suspects were arrested during a major police enforcement operation at travellers’ sites in December 2024.
Stanley, from Gifford Road in Bedford, admitted four burglaries committed in September and October 2024. On September 24, 2025, he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison at Luton Crown Court.
Smith, of Ampthill Road in Kempston Hardwick, received a 40-month sentence after pleading guilty to the same four burglaries plus an additional burglary and the theft of a motor vehicle.
In one harrowing incident in Leicestershire, the victims watched the intruders enter their garden via CCTV and called 999. As the operator listened, the burglars broke in. The victims locked themselves in a bathroom, fearing physical harm, as they listened to the house being torn apart.
Thanks to CCTV footage, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and other intelligence sources, police were able to tie Stanley and Smith to the crimes.
Detective Constable Andrew Boston of Operation Maze stated, “I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for the victims. Stanley and Smith showed total disregard for their victims. It’s reassuring to see them behind bars.”
He added that the case highlights the value of home security systems, such as CCTV, which played a critical role in securing convictions.
Operation Maze continues to be a leader in solving burglary cases, giving Bedfordshire one of the highest burglary clear-up rates in the UK.
“We’re proud of that record,” said DC Boston, “but there’s still work to be done. We urge the public to report any suspicious activity or information that could help.”
