SIX Southampton men and a youth have appeared in court accused of conspiring to steal scores of vehicles as part of an alleged organised crime ring.

Another man, from Rownhams is accused of burglary and vehicle theft.

They were arrested following an investigation by Hampshire's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, which spanned seven months.

Around 100 officers were involved in executing warrants at ten addresses around Southampton.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Gregan, centred on suspected collusion to steal scores of vans, cars and bikes across Hampshire by scouring the Free Ad newspapers and eBay.

The alleged syndicate included: Scott Waller, 18, Quantock Road, Millbrook; Simon Marszall, 22, Romsey Road; Darryl Clarke, 19, Copeland Road, Millbrook; Stewart Messom, 20, of Outer Circle, Shirley Warren; Ricky Severn, 21, Elizabeth Court, Shirley Warren; Craig Collier, 21, Outer Circle, Shirley Warren, and a 15-year-old boy.

All appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday accused of conspiring to commit multiple thefts of vehicles between July 2007 and Tuesday.

The court heard how the charges related to up to 30 incidents where motoring advertisers were allegedly targeted over a nine-month period. The men were accused of a string of burglaries and thefts over nine months in Southampton, Holbury, Hythe, Romsey, Chandler's Ford, Bordon, Wickham, Ashurst and Eastleigh.

All were remanded in custody, except Collier who was released on conditional bail, to appear at Southampton Crown Court on May 1.

In addition, Marszall was charged with two thefts of motor vehicles and the handling of stolen vehicle registration documents.

Fellow defendant James Cole, 19, of Nutfield Road, Rownhams, will also appear on May 1 charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

Another two males arrested during the investigation have been bailed pending further inquiries Hampshire Constabulary is appealing to those involved in a similar incident where a vehicle was said to have been stolen days after someone responded to an advert, to call 0845 045 4545, quoting Operation Gregan.