A determined effort to crack down on shop theft in Worksop town centre has seen over ten years of jailtime secured for repeat offenders.
For much of 2025, curbing shoplifting offences has been one of the area’s top priorities decided by calling on local communities, consulting with partners and looking at crime trends.
From May to December of this year, the Bassetlaw neighbourhood policing team has worked alongside local partners to target the most prolific criminals – not only to secure jail sentences but to provide rehabilitation support when needed too.
To date, 18 offenders have received a combined total of 534 weeks in prison – adding up to over ten years in total.
Supported by North Notts Business Improvement District, a new secure intelligence-sharing system has meant that the process to report offences has been streamlined.
Because of this, CCTV evidence and incident details captured by Bassetlaw District Council’s CCTV operators and local retailers has been instantly shared with local officers.
This means the neighbourhood team can identify known offenders swiftly and respond more efficiently to incidents.
The success is also down to the proactive policing by officers who have a deep understanding of their local community – and its most problematic individuals – very well.
Officers work to compile thorough evidence that goes before the courts and actively recommend the implementation of restrictive court orders.
The goal to curb shop theft also relies on collaboration with probation services to monitor the compliance of offenders, track those with suspended sentences in place and support escalation when needed.
Lee Barratt, 44, was put before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 2 December and received a one-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to five counts of shop theft.
Barratt, previously of Rushey Close, Worksop, was clearly identified on CCTV captured at the premises targeted.
Lee Barratt captured on CCTV
Similarly, 35-year-old Jade Arkwright was handed a 17 week jail sentence when she appeared before the courts on 24 December.
Arkwright, previously of St John’s Court, Worksop, was also caught shoplifting five separate times across the local area taking electric toothbrushes, pyjamas and beef from shelves.
Jade Arkwright
Sergeant Mark Talbot, who leads the operation, said:
“Every week these offenders are behind bars is a week they’re not stealing from our shops.
“Shoplifting may not seem like a major offence, but it has a huge impact on Worksop’s retailers and employees, as well as locals who spend their hard-earned money in said shops.
“So, our dedicated effort to curb shoplifting not only protects retail staff and reduces the burden on police resources, but in turn makes our streets safer for everyone.”
While enforcement is a key part of the operation, the team also work to rehabilitate shoplifters and reduce repeat offending.
Operation Legacy is a joint strategy based on the management of individuals who have lived chaotic lifestyles, frequently committed crimes such as shop theft, and who have regularly been in and out of custody and through the court system.
Help includes drug treatment, mental health support, and assistance with housing and benefits.
Currently there are 10 Bassetlaw nominals enrolled in the force’s dedicated support programme.
Inspector Robert Harrison, of the Bassetlaw neighbourhood policing team, said:
“We know that many of these offences are being committed by a relatively small group of people living with some very complex needs like substance addiction and ill mental health.
“That’s why, while much of our work is about enforcement, we put just as much focus on rehabilitation if the individual is accepting of the support.
“But for those who continue to offend, we will actively target them until they are in prison, where their offending — at least for a short time — is brought to a stop.
“All this hard work to curb shop theft is part of a wider operation to target crime across the town which is linked, such as antisocial behaviour and drug use.
“I want Worksop to be a pleasant place to live, work, and visit, and we will continue to do what we can to stop repeat offenders impacting the centre.”