Bassetlaw Rural

Bassetlaw Neighbourhood Policing Priorities: July – September 2026
As the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Bassetlaw, I am pleased to share our policing priorities for the next three months. These priorities are guided by our three core pillars of neighbourhood policing:
•Targeted Activity
•Community Engagement
•Problem Solving
Our priorities are informed by a wide range of intelligence and feedback sources, including:
•Feedback from beat surgeries and Safer Neighbourhood Groups
•Community surveys via Notts Alert
•Crime statistics and analytical data
•Input from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
•Partnership feedback and other sources
Neighbourhood policing continues to evolve to meet the needs of our communities. We remain fully committed to tackling all forms of criminality and anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the district.
You may notice that these priorities remain unchanged from the previous quarter. This is a deliberate decision. While we have seen excellent results—including arrests, seizures and prosecutions—I do not believe we have yet achieved the level of impact we expect in these areas. There is more work to be done, and I remain determined to drive further reductions in these crime types.

Priorities
1. Drug Supply
Drug dealing has a significant and far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. It contributes to addiction, increased crime and violence, anti-social behaviour, and the exploitation of vulnerable people. It also fosters an environment of fear and instability, where associated criminality—such as theft, coercion and conflict—often thrives.
In addition, drug activity erodes trust between communities and public services, making collaborative problem-solving more difficult. It places further strain on policing, healthcare and social services, diverting resources from other vital community needs.
Tackling drug supply will always remain a key priority. We will continue to take robust enforcement action against those who deal illegal drugs within Bassetlaw. Community intelligence remains vital in helping us identify and disrupt organised activity.
Operation Legacy, our offender management initiative, continues to target individuals involved in drug-related criminality and ASB.

2. Rural Crime in East Bassetlaw
Rural crime is often underreported but has a profound impact on our communities. Covering over 250 square miles, Bassetlaw’s rural landscape can be exploited by offenders, particularly those travelling from neighbouring counties.
Offences such as crop damage, vehicle and equipment theft, and poaching can be devastating for rural and farming communities. To address this, we have officers specially trained in rural and wildlife crime embedded within our neighbourhood policing teams.

3. Theft of Motor Vehicles
We have seen an increase in motor vehicle theft across Bassetlaw, including cars, motorcycles and plant machinery.
Vehicle theft not only causes financial loss but also significantly affects victims’ daily lives. It impacts their ability to travel to work, take children to school, and attend medical appointments. It raises insurance costs, reduces community confidence, and contributes to wider criminality.
Stolen vehicles are often used in further offences such as burglary, drug supply and dangerous driving, increasing harm and placing additional pressure on emergency services.

June 2026 Update

At the beginning of April 2026, I set priorities for the previous three months based on community feedback, partner input, and crime and ASB data. Below is an update on our progress until the end of June 2026

1. Drug Supply
Tackling drugs remains a central focus. The effects of substance misuse are visible in areas such as Worksop town centre; however, significant progress is being made, and we are seeing tangible results.
Our approach targets both users and dealers.
Those involved in drug dealing will face the strongest possible enforcement action. We will arrest offenders, conduct thorough investigations, and pursue custodial sentences to protect our communities.
Recently, the courts recognised the severity of offences committed by Jack Davies, who was sentenced to three years and four months in prison following the execution of drug warrants at two addresses last year. Significant quantities of drugs, cash, and high-value jewellery were recovered. PC Jen Ellse led a high-quality investigation that resulted in a guilty plea. Marshall Willmott also pleaded guilty and received a 24-month suspended sentence. The full story can be found here: Worksop drug dealers found with stash of cocaine and wads of cash | Nottinghamshire Police

Further drug warrants have been executed in recent weeks, leading to additional arrests and significant seizures. While investigations remain ongoing, the progress made is encouraging.
Through Operation Legacy, we continue to work with partners—including Probation, Bassetlaw District Council, and drug treatment services—to divert entrenched users into recovery pathways. We are currently working with 11 individuals, with some achieving rehabilitation or ceasing offending behaviour—many for the first time in years.
Where engagement is not forthcoming, enforcement action continues. We also utilise legal measures such as injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), which carry powers of arrest and potential custodial consequences. Several individuals have already been subject to these measures, with further cases progressing.
This week, an individual was arrested for breaching an injunction prohibiting entry into the town centre, thanks to swift action and partnership working with Bassetlaw District Council CCTV operators.

2. Rural Crime in East Bassetlaw
We continue to make progress in tackling rural crime, which is especially critical during peak agricultural periods.
Operation Star, a joint initiative with Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Police, remains a key element of our approach—enabling coordinated action, intelligence sharing and enforcement across borders.
Incidents involving illegal off-road motorcycles and quad bikes are reducing due to proactive measures, including patrols, CCTV, seizures and preventative work. Officers are encouraged to use all available powers to seize vehicles where appropriate.
PC Hollie Marsh has led outstanding work in this area, combining enforcement with problem-solving tactics such as target hardening and community protection measures. Her work has been recognised and shared with colleagues and academic partners as best practice.
Poaching and wildlife crime remain areas of concern. Officers are actively targeting offenders, and we are enhancing our capabilities through additional training, including the use of forensic techniques and drone technology.
Finally, I would like to thank those who attended the Rural Showcase at Rufford Abbey on 27 June. Despite the challenging weather, the event provided valuable opportunities for engagement and partnership working.

3. Theft of Motor Vehicles
This is our third month focusing on vehicle theft, which remains a significant issue.
The impact on victims extends far beyond financial loss, affecting their independence, daily routines and overall wellbeing. Offenders are often unlicensed, involved in wider criminality, and pose a danger on our roads.
We are proactively sharing crime prevention advice and will be distributing Faraday pouches and security guidance at community engagement events throughout the summer. Some 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
Our teams have worked tirelessly, recovering multiple vehicles, developing intelligence and progressing several investigations.
In one notable incident, four vehicles were stolen in quick succession. Through rapid and coordinated action, officers successfully recovered all four vehicles and made an arrest—an excellent example of proactive policing and commitment to public safety: Four vehicles swiftly recovered by police in Bassetlaw | Nottinghamshire Police.
This month, I have also launched Operation Pernicious, targeting illegal off-road bikes and quad bikes. This initiative will focus on enforcement, education and diversion, addressing both the risks and the wider criminality associated with these vehicles. Further updates will follow.

Inspector Robert Harrison
Bassetlaw District Commander