19/05/2026
We caught two men red-handed after they breached an order put in place to protect the county’s wildlife.
Once reports came in of illegal fishing at Idle Valley Nature Reserve, near Retford, our officers headed to the site.
They soon spotted repeat offenders Luke Douglas and Layton Janes fishing on the reserve’s lake - a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - on Wednesday afternoon (13 May).
The duo were previously handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on 23 May 2024 which prohibits them from entering Idle Valley Nature Reserve.
It also means they cannot fish, or be in possession of fishing equipment, in the district of Bassetlaw.
Douglas, 24, and Janes were found with four rods positioned along the bank, using baited rigs with boilies — a method commonly used to catch carp.
Whilst Douglas was detained, Janes had other ideas and fled the scene.
The 30-year-old wasn’t gone for long though and handed himself in later that same day.
Having been apprehended, Douglas and Janes were charged with breaching their CBOs and were remanded into custody overnight.
They both pleaded guilty to the offence when they then appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court the following day (14 May).
Douglas, of Welfare Avenue, Barwick in Elmet, Leeds, and Janes, of Canal Lane, Lofthouse Gate, Wakefield, were ordered to pay charges of £85.
PC Mark Holland, of the Worksop South neighbourhood policing team, said: “Janes and Douglas were well and truly caught – hook, line , and sinker – with nowhere to hide.
“This type of behaviour can cause substantial environmental damage, and it’s imperative we do what we can to protect our rural landscapes and wildlife.
"Even when fish are caught then released like in this case, this causes avoidable stress to nature, injury to vulnerable species, and undermines recovery projects.
“We’ve also seen the reserve left full of rubbish and staff subjected to rudeness, and that behaviour has no place at a site of this importance.
“I hope this quick response from us shows we will continue to work hard to ensure those who cause damage within our rural communities face the courts.
“Idle Valley Nature Trust is one of the largest nature conservation sites in the county, and we will continue to work with them to preserve Nottinghamshire’s nature and wildlife.”
