Bassetlaw Today

Author: Bassetlaw Today

  • One of Worksop’s most persistent shoplifters jailed

    One of Worksop’s most persistent shoplifters jailed

    One of Worksop’s most persistent shoplifters has been jailed following a slew of repeat offences.

    After pleading guilty to five counts of shop theft and one count of criminal damage, Geoffrey Loverseed, 47, was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, in Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 12.

    But within hours of leaving court, Loverseed headed to the Co-op at Plantation Hill, Worksop, where he stole chilled meat products. He was soon arrested by officers.

    Whilst on bail for this offence, Loverseed, of Gateford Road, Worksop, committed another theft at B&M, Worksop, stealing £90 worth of chewing gum.

    During his arrest on Wednesday 25 June, Loverseed also assaulted the officer detaining him.

    Appearing in Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 26, the courts activated his suspended sentence in full, meaning Loverseed has been sent to jail for 23 weeks – 18 weeks from his former sentencing, and a further five weeks for his offences since.

    A suspended sentence is a prison sentence that is delayed, where the offender doesn’t go to prison immediately.

    Instead, they are given a chance to not reoffend and comply with any conditions set by the court, which Loverseed breached through his repeated actions.

    Sergeant Mark Talbot, of the Worksop North neighbourhood policing team, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It affects everyone — retailers, staff, and customers alike – as shops are often forced to raise prices to offset losses.

    “We know there’s growing public concern about the national rise in shoplifting and the perception that offenders are going unpunished. We want to be clear – we take this issue seriously and will take action.

    “Our officers are committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting offenders to protect our communities and ensure accountability.”

  • Man arrested after disturbance in Bircoates

    Man arrested after disturbance in Bircoates

    A man has been arrested after police safely resolved a disturbance in Bircoates.

    Officers were called to the village around 2.30pm on Thursday (3) following reports of a burglary in East Street.

    An offender entered a property and made threats to the occupants before climbing onto a number of roofs of addresses in nearby Arundel Walk.

    Tiles were thrown from the roofs and damaged two marked police vehicles and a member of the public’s car.

    One police officer was also struck to the chest by one of the projectiles.

    The incident was safely resolved by officers with the assistance of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

    A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, five counts of criminal damage and assault on an emergency worker.

    Detective Inspector James Oakton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

    “This incident required a large number of emergency services personnel to bring to a safe conclusion.

    “It is thanks to their skill and professionalism that no one was seriously hurt.

    “A number of neighbouring properties were affected and I’d like to thank people in the community for their patience and understanding.”

    Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 404 of 3 July 2025, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

  • Work to improve high streets forges ahead in Bassetlaw

    Work to improve high streets forges ahead in Bassetlaw

    Bassetlaw District Council is forging ahead with its High Street Rental Auction Scheme which hopes to improve high streets and tackle the problem of long-term empty shops.

    The Council was made one of four ‘Early Adopters’ of the new High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) scheme by the government in December 2024, which aims to see long term vacant shops rented out to new tenants.

    HRSA provides a new power for local authorities to require landlords to rent out commercial properties unoccupied continuously for 12 months or for at least 366 days within a 24-month period to new tenants, such as local businesses or community groups.

    At a Full Council meeting on Thursday 19th June, Councillors approved the designated areas in which the HRSA will be applied in Worksop, Retford and Harworth and Bircotes.

    Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity and Place said: “We want to revitalise and regenerate our town centres and these new powers to tackle long term empty shops will help towards this.

     “We also want to work positively with landlords to proactively bring their premises back into use through business support and available grants, to help rent out shops to new tenants.”

    The council hopes to positively engage with landlords to reduce the number of premises reaching the rental auction stage and bring premises back into use through other interventions.

    It includes providing opportunities for free business support, high street grants and fit-out grants funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

    As well as reducing the number of empty units it is hoped it will also support more start-ups, and community uses as well as increasing footfall on the high street.

    To find out about the HRSA designated areas visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/HSRA/ or for more information on support available to high street businesses visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/support-and-advice-for-businesses

  • Council ban man from areas of Worksop for ‘persistent anti-social behaviour’

    Council ban man from areas of Worksop for ‘persistent anti-social behaviour’

    A man has been issued with an anti-social behaviour injunction for persistently being caught drinking alcohol, shouting and swearing on the streets of Worksop after action was taken by Bassetlaw District Council.

    Daniel Wilson, of Plantation Hill was issued with the injunction at Mansfield County Court on May 14 by a district judge following an application from the council, supported by Nottinghamshire Police to prevent him from committing further acts of anti-social behaviour in the town.

    The injunction will remain in force for two years until May 14, 2027 and a power of arrest was ordered, which means Wilson will be liable for arrest by the police if he is found to be in breach of the injunction.

    Daniel Wilson, of Plantation Hill was issued with the injunction at Mansfield County Court on May 14

    Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “We want to make sure our town centres are a place that people want to visit and increase the feelings of safety.

    “This latest prosecution sends a clear message we will target individuals whose behaviour is in breach of our Public Space Protection order and has a negative effect on residents and visitors alike.”

    In a separate case, Wilson was convicted in his absence at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 12th May 2025 for breaching the Town Centre’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at least 11 times between September and December last year including shouting and swearing at the council’s Street Wardens.

    Wilson is due to be sentenced for this conviction on 7th July 2025 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

    The Anti-social Behaviour Injunction prohibits Wilson from engaging in conduct which is capable of causing harassment, alarm, distress, nuisance and annoyance to any person going about their lawful business in Worksop Town Centre.

    He is restricted from shouting, swearing and using violence or making threats of violence and entering or remaining in Worksop Town Centre.

  • Police make arrest following Worksop flat fire

    Police make arrest following Worksop flat fire

    Officers were quick to make an arrest following what is believed to be an isolated flat fire.

    In the early hours of Friday (27), reports came in that a property on Church Walk, Worksop, was alight.

    Alongside Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue colleagues, the area was swiftly made safe, and police arrested a 23-year-old woman at the scene on suspicion of arson.

    Inspector Robert Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:  “We understand that this incident may cause concern for the Worksop community, but we want to reassure you all that this is being treated as an isolated incident and we’re not linking this to recent occurrences at this stage. 

    “Thankfully this fire was contained and no injuries were sustained, but there is always the potential for any fire to spiral out of control.

    “With six previous arrests after a series of arson incidents in May, we will continue to clamp down on those involved in such incidents.”

  • Police appeal after two Bassetlaw shops were targeted by thief in one day

    Police appeal after two Bassetlaw shops were targeted by thief in one day

    Police want to speak to this woman after two stores were targeted by a shoplifter in Bassetlaw on the same day.

    More than £500 worth of alcohol and other items were stolen during the separate incidents on June 12.

    The same unidentified individual helped themselves to stock after walking into two shops in north Nottinghamshire.

    Asda, in Vesuvius Way, Worksop, was targeted first, before Sainsbury’s, in High Grounds Road, Rhodesia, was as well.

    The respective offences are believed to have taken place on 2.15pm and 2.40pm the same day.

    Police investigating the two incidents can now release images of a woman they’d like to speak to in connection with the thefts.

    PC Lee Ryan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

    “Anyone who recognises this woman is asked to call us, as we have a few questions we’d like to ask her about these two thefts.

    “Likewise, if she sees this appeal, we’d request that she contacts us, as we believe she has information that could assist our inquiries.

    “Shoplifting is a serious offence that isn’t just unfair on the stores impacted, but also honest shoppers who follow the rules and spend their hard-earned cash on items.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 467 of 12 June 2025, while Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Man released after being arrested on suspicion of murder following Worksop house explosion

    Man released after being arrested on suspicion of murder following Worksop house explosion

    A man arrested on suspicion of murder following a house explosion in Worksop has been released with no further action following a police investigation.

    Emergency services were called to John Street at 7.39pm on April 12 after an explosion inside a house and a major incident was declared.

    Officers recovered the body of a man from under debris following the blast.

    Despite the best efforts of the responding emergency services, 53-year-old David Howard died at the scene.

    Emergency workers at the scene in Worksop

    As part of their inquiries, a 43-year-old man was arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action after the police investigation found no evidence of any third-party involvement in Mr Howard’s death.

    The family of the victim have been informed and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

    Detective Inspector Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

    “We’ve treated this incident with the utmost seriousness, to ensure we have done everything we can to understand what happened.

    “After detailed examination of the available information, we do not believe there is any evidence of criminal wrongdoing at this point.

    “As a result, the arrested man has been released with no further action and we will now be preparing a report for the coroner.

    “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.”

  • Police appeal for witnesses after suspected hit and run in Worksop

    Police appeal for witnesses after suspected hit and run in Worksop

    Police investigating a road traffic collision in Worksop are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

    A man was struck by a car at about 2.30am on Sunday (15) in Eastgate.

    The victim, in his 30s, was treated in hospital for injuries sustained.

    A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

    Officers investigating the incident are now appealing for anyone who saw what happened, and who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage, to get in touch with them immediately.

    Detective Sergeant Joanne Eaton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We’re committed to getting to the bottom of what happened here, so we would like to hear from any witnesses who saw the incident or may have dash-cam or CCTV footage.

    “We believe that Eastgate would have been busy at the time of this collision, so we urge any members of the public who have any information to call 101 quoting incident number 25000346302 and Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

  • Residents invited to have say on Bassetlaw District Council car parks

    Residents invited to have say on Bassetlaw District Council car parks

    Bassetlaw District Council is inviting residents and businesses to help improve the overall parking experience at its car parks in Worksop and Retford.

    A Car Park Conversation is being launched on 9th June to get an understanding of how the Council car parks are viewed when it comes to areas including safety, accessibility, lighting, signage and EV charging.

    It is hoping to assess how well motorists’ needs are being met while also identifying areas for improvement to enhance parking in the two towns.

    Cllr Alan Rhodes, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Financial Services said: “We want to find out if our car parks in Worksop and Retford meet the needs of our residents, visitors and businesses.

    “We hope people will take the time to join the Car Park Conversation and provide their feedback which will help us make informed decisions on where any improvements could be made in the future.”

    The Council currently owns 13 car parks in Worksop Town Centre including Castle Hill, Memorial Avenue and Central Avenue, while it owns 7 car parks in Retford Town Centre, among them Carolgate, Churchgate Central and New Street.

    The Car Park Conversation launches on 9th June and runs for six weeks until 20th July 2025, with the Council inviting as many people as possible to share their feedback.

    Those who take part also have the chance to win one of six £25 Love2Shop vouchers.

    To join the conversation, visit: bit.ly/car-park-conversation

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  • Council invites housebuilders and landowners to suggest plots for future development as they issue ‘call for sites’

    Council invites housebuilders and landowners to suggest plots for future development as they issue ‘call for sites’

    A ‘call for sites’ has been issued by Bassetlaw District Council to help identify potential development plots in the future.

    Submissions can be for a range of new development including for all types of housing, businesses, renewable energy or nature recovery, community facilities and open space.

    The appeal will not affect or replace the council’s adopted Local Plan, which already sets out where housing and other developments are allowed to be built, and which areas should be protected in the district over the next 13 years.

    Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place said: “The Call for Sites is a valuable tool to ensure that all possible sites across the district are assessed for their potential for development.

    “Anyone can suggest a site to us, and I would encourage everyone to get involved.”

    The Council will include all submitted sites in the Land Availability Assessment and will assess if they are suitable for development.

    The Call for Sites and site assessment process does not indicate that planning permission will be granted or suggest that sites are suitable for allocating in any future Local Plan.

    The 12-week engagement runs from June 12 to 4th September 4, 2025, using the Council’s new digital platform for which we have received Government funding https://cfs.bassetlaw.urbanintelligence.co.uk/, through the Council’s website https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/call-for-sites/ or email planningpolicy@bassetlaw.gov.uk.