Lea Crime Intelligence

May 2026 Update

At the beginning of April 2026, I set our priorities for the next three months. I considered feedback from our communities and partners as well crime and ASB figures.
Below provides an update on how we have tackled those priorities, as well as our plans moving forward.

1. Drug Supply
I said that tackling drugs will always be a priority for me and this remains the case. The impact of substance misuse can be seen in areas of Bassetlaw, including Worksop town centre, but some great work continues to take place and we are seeing a difference. This will continue into the spring and summer months
We have split our focus, tackling both users and dealers, over the past month.
In respect of dealing we, have completed a number of proactive stop searches over the past month, resulting in multiple seizures and the arrest of a number of persons.
A cannabis grow was also located following a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant and an investigation into this is ongoing.
We continue to develop a number of lines enquiry around the supply of drugs across Bassetlaw and I will post more information around this in the coming months.
In respect of drug users, we continue to run Operation Legacy, working in partnership to divert entrenched addicts into treatment, thereby reducing crime. We work with Probation, Bassetlaw District Council, drug treatment services and others to offer those entrenched in drug use a chance to recover. If help is refused and we see no engagement, we continue to prosecute and enforce. We are now working with 9 individuals, and I am pleased to report some incredible work taking place which has resulted in some of our cohort entering rehabilitation or abstaining from committing offences, many for the first time in several years. Sadly, three of those we are trying to help have continued on the path of criminality and both have been sent to prison, where we will make efforts to begin the process of gaining compliance and treatment again.
Although custody is something we will always push for, we also look to manage individuals using other legal powers, such as injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders. These powers carry the power of arrest and can lead to imprisonment. Three of Bassetlaw’s individuals have recently been subject to such action, as a result of joint work between police and Bassetlaw District Council. More are in the pipeline, and the message is clear – cause misery for those that live, work and visit Bassetlaw, then expect to be dealt with. An example of this is the sentencing of Martin Heath, 46, who has just been imprisoned for 3 months, following a number of breaches of an injunction, which ban him from Worksop town centre. Evidence of the breach was recorded by Bassetlaw District Council CCTV operators, and he was arrested and put before the court.
2.Rural Crime in East Bassetlaw
Progress is being made on tackling Rural crime across Rural East Bassetlaw. This is a vital time for our landowners and farmers, which can quickly turn to disaster unless we tackle criminality in our rural areas.
We continue to run Operation Star, a joint operation with colleagues from Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Police, sharing skills, tactics and intelligence in locating and arresting offenders. One such operation saw the arrest of three males, using our rural roads to move suspected stolen goods. A really good bit of police work by our Roads Policing Unit and Road Crime Team, who are out and about in Bassetlaw, at all hours of the day, stopping and arresting those committing crime - Suspected stolen sofas recovered after lorry sting | Nottinghamshire Police.
We have seen issues with illegal off road motorcycles and quads continue, although incidents are reducing due to some excellent work by the Neighbourhood Policing Team, including target hardening, CCTV, seizures and visible patrols. I encourage officers to seize off road bikes, if powers allow, on every occasion. Last week, saw a fantastic result at court of a significant fine for an individual riding a quad across farmland, damaging crops – Action taken after two teenagers destroyed farmer’s crops | Nottinghamshire Police. Some fantastic work by PC Hollie Marsh and I look forward to more.
We continue to see poaching in East Bassetlaw and further afield and officers are actively out targeting wildlife crime offenders in rural locations.
If you wish to see more about what we do to tackle Rural and Wildlife Crime, please come along to the Annual Rural and Wildlife Crime Showcase on at Rufford Abbey Country Park, near Newark, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 27 June. You can meet officers, see some of the equipment we use and ask us anything, it would be great to have you along!

3.T heft of motor vehicle offences
This is our first month with theft of motor vehicle offences being a priority, following a spate of incidents in which both cars and motorcycles were stolen across Bassetlaw.
This does not only cause worry and concern for victims but limits people’s ability to get to work, children to school and to medical appointments, has financial implications with insurance and alternative transport, causes the loss of personal items in vehicles and much more. Offences are often committed by those with no licence, involved in further criminality and who drive dangerously on our roads, and this is why it needs tackling.
We have begun to publish some key advice on keeping vehicles safe and secure and we will be provided faraday pouches and crime prevention information at a number of engagement events and beat surgeries throughout the summer. If you require any information or assistance, then please let us know and we will be happy to provide what we can.
Further information can be found here - Police issue key crime prevention advice after increase in motorbike thefts | Nottinghamshire Police and here Police issue advice after spate of keyless car thefts | Nottinghamshire Police
We are currently investigating a number of crimes involving the theft of motor vehicles and we have made some key arrests in recent weeks.
On 2nd April, Response officers saw a suspected stolen motorcycle, resulting in the arrest of a 16 year old boy. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.
On 20th April, quick thinking officers recovered a suspect motorcycle in Retford, following the reports of a bike being ridden in a dangerous manner. Enquiries are ongoing to locate the rider.
On 30th April, Neighbourhood Policing Team officers conducted a planned arrest of a 15 year old male on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. He has been conditionally bailed pending further enquiries.
I am looking forward to sharing some good news regarding charges and court results when I can.

T/INSP Robert Harrison
Bassetlaw District Commander