Family terrorised at gunpoint as notorious London gang storms home with kids trapped upstairs

A violent Turkish gang has been jailed after launching a terrifying armed home invasion that left a young family traumatised, East London gripped with fear, and serious questions raised about the growing threat of organised crime.

The shocking burglary, which played out like a scene from a gangster film, took place in Plymouth in February 2024 but involved key figures from London’s criminal underworld. Three men — Bektas Gurgur, Altan Tezcan, and Engin Timur — teamed up with Westcountry associate Curtis Smith to stage the violent raid, leaving their victims robbed of £12,500 and emotionally scarred.

Masked and heavily armed, the gang stormed the property while the family’s children remained trapped upstairs. The men carried an imitation firearm, knives, and knuckledusters, creating a scene of sheer horror for the parents downstairs. Doorbell camera footage later captured the gang shouting threats and violently assaulting the couple as they demanded cash — all while their petrified children listened in terror from above.

The ringleader, Bektas Gurgur, brought with him a chilling history of violence. A long-time fixture in London’s criminal landscape, Gurgur had previously served 11 years for an aggravated burglary committed in the capital back in 2012. Metropolitan Police intelligence reports have repeatedly linked him to the Hackney Bombers — one of London’s most dangerous Turkish crime syndicates. His name has surfaced in connection with some of the city’s longest-running heroin turf wars, nightclub machine-gun attacks, and a string of high-profile shootings.

Despite his notorious background, Gurgur managed to evade police capture for several months following the Plymouth raid. It was only after a coordinated investigation involving both the Metropolitan Police and Devon and Cornwall officers that the gang members were eventually tracked down and arrested during a series of dramatic raids.

During sentencing, Judge Robert Linford delivered a scathing rebuke, condemning the gang for the “absolute terror” they inflicted on the innocent family. “This family was chosen for no reason other than they had earnings you wished to steal. The terror you unleashed on them will leave scars for life,” he told the court.

The case has sent shockwaves through London’s communities, with many residents now questioning whether their own homes remain safe from such ruthless attacks. As organised crime syndicates tighten their grip on the capital, fears are growing over how many other violent gangs are preparing similar raids.

Detective Inspector Sarah Chapman, who led the investigation, praised the victims for their extraordinary courage. “Their bravery in facing these men in court cannot be overstated. Thanks to their strength and our joint investigation, these dangerous individuals have been taken off the streets.”

Despite this victory for law enforcement, concerns remain over London’s escalating gang violence. The Hackney Bombers — long embedded in the city’s Turkish organised crime scene — have been blamed for years of drug wars, turf battles, and brutal attacks that have left communities living in fear.

Local residents are calling for tougher measures to tackle organised crime networks before more families fall victim. “These people operate with no regard for human life,” said one East London community leader. “If it takes stronger sentences and more resources for police, then that’s what must happen.”

As the city continues to grapple with the shadowy world of international gangs, the question remains: how many more dangerous criminals like Gurgur are still out there, plotting their next attack?

Police have urged anyone with information about organised gang activity to contact authorities anonymously, as they vow to continue dismantling these criminal empires and restore safety to London’s streets.