Update from Inspector Head

***Message from Inspector Head ***

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the volume of communications recently. I am mindful that a significant number of community updates have been issued within a short period of time, and I appreciate your patience and continued engagement.

Armed Policing Incidents - Gainsborough

At approximately 3:45pm yesterday (Thursday 3 September) on Asquith Street, Gainsborough, a policing operation involving plain-clothed armed officers was carried out.

I recognise that this incident took place at a time when children were returning home from school and may have caused concern or distress to those who witnessed it. However, I would like to reassure the community that the operation was thoroughly risk assessed and it was determined that there was no danger to members of the public.

The operation generated a significant number of calls from concerned residents and, unfortunately, led to misinformation being circulated on social media, including reports that a vehicle had crashed and that occupants had fired shots within a property. This was not the case. I would like to remind the community of the harm that misinformation can cause to not only policing investigations, but to members of the local community.

While I am unable to discuss the full circumstances of the investigation, I can confirm that officers executed a warrant at an address and utilised appropriate techniques and equipment during entry, which produced several loud bangs.

Officers safely gained entry to the property and arrested two men, both aged 24, on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. One of the men was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, while the second man was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and possessing a class B drug.

The operation subsequently concluded with the arrest of a further 22-year-old man by plain-clothed armed officers on Theaker Avenue, Gainsborough. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

All three men remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Residents may continue to see an increased police presence in the area while enquiries remain ongoing. I would like to reiterate that there is no perceived direct risk to the wider public. Further updates will be provided when appropriate and when operationally possible.

Attempted Burglary - Scampton

On 2 September, officers received a report of an attempted burglary on High Street, Scampton. The offenders are believed to have drilled out the lock and attempted to force entry by prising open the door. Their efforts were unsuccessful and no entry was gained.

Burglary Series - Faldingworth

During the night of 1 September into 2 September, a number of burglaries were reported in the Faldingworth area.

Following information received from a member of the public, officers were quickly deployed and located a male hiding underneath a vehicle, along with a quantity of suspected stolen property. The male was subsequently arrested.

Ashley Peterson, 39, of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, has since been charged with six counts of burglary. He was remanded into custody by Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court and is due to appear before Lincoln Crown Court on 28 September.

Update on Arson Incident - Lord Street, Gainsborough

On 28 August 2026, officers received reports that two males wearing balaclavas had thrown a petrol bomb at the Surfleet Bistro before fleeing the scene.

As a result of enquiries conducted by local officers, a vehicle believed to be linked to the incident was identified and circulated to police forces. Subsequently, the vehicle was involved in a fail-to-stop incident in Sussex, during which a police vehicle was rammed.

The driver fled the scene; however, the passenger was detained and arrested on suspicion of arson. Enquiries remain ongoing and further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Sentencing for Kidnap in Market Rasen

Five people have been sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court for their roles in the kidnap and violent abuse of a man in Lincoln. They were sentenced on Friday 28 August.

The court heard how the victim was targeted and subjected to a terrifying ordeal amid continuing personal matters linked to a past relationship breakdown.

On 4 July 2025, the victim was lured to an address in Market Rasen. Once he arrived, it became clear he was being held against his will and was unable to leave.

Inside the address were Brad'Lee Ranyard, Nathan Gladwell, Jackson Nicholson, Craig Ranyard and Danielle Thompson.

For hours, the victim endured violence and intimidation. He was repeatedly assaulted, threatened, humiliated and tormented by his captors, while those involved filmed the abuse on their mobile phones and laughed as it unfolded.

The victim was held at the Market Rasen address until the following day.

On 5 July 2025, the victim was forced into the back of an Isuzu pickup truck by Brad'Lee Ranyard and Jackson Nicholson. During the journey, he was threatened and made to sit between his captors.

He was driven along back roads before being taken to a property on Portland Street in Lincoln, where he was again held against his will.

CCTV footage shows the vehicle parking outside the address on Portland Street at 7.30am. Brad'Lee Ranyard and Jackson Nicholson then ushered the victim into the property.

However, at 11.23am, the victim seized an opportunity to escape.

CCTV footage shows him climbing hurriedly from a window before jumping into a nearby tree and running into the street in a desperate bid for freedom.

What happened next may have saved his life.

As the victim made his escape, a marked Lincolnshire Police vehicle turned into Portland Street.

The victim ran directly towards the vehicle, stepping in front of it to bring it to a stop before jumping into the back seat and pleading with officers for help.

PC Kingston, who was driving the vehicle, immediately recognised the man's distress.

The victim's emotional state was unmistakable, and officers quickly realised he was fleeing a serious and dangerous situation.

He was taken to safety before providing an initial account of what had happened to him.

Meanwhile, CCTV captured the movements of those involved after the victim's escape.

At 11.27am, Brad'Lee Ranyard and Jackson Nicholson were seen leaving the Portland Street address. They later returned before leaving again carrying a duffle bag and making their way to the Isuzu pickup parked nearby.

The vehicle was subsequently tracked, and armed officers stopped it on Washingborough Road, at 12.07pm, arresting Brad'Lee Ranyard and Jackson Nicholson.

Further enquiries were carried out to locate the others involved in the kidnap and assaults.

Nathan Gladwell, Craig Ranyard and Danielle Thompson were located and arrested at a property in Market Rasen at around 9.40pm that night.

All five were later charged.

On Friday 28 August, all five offenders appeared at Lincoln Crown Court to be sentenced for their roles in the kidnap.

Brad'Lee Ranyard, 20, of Portland Street, Lincoln, was jailed for nine years after being convicted of kidnap and pleading guilty to false imprisonment.

Jackson Nicholson, 25, of Lindsay Drive, Gainsborough, was also jailed for nine years after being convicted of kidnap and pleading guilty to false imprisonment.

Craig Ranyard, 42, of Barsey Walk, Horncastle, was sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment.

Danielle Thompson, 38, of Lime Walk, Market Rasen, was sentenced to four years and nine months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment.

Nathan Gladwell, 36, of Union Street, Market Rasen, was sentenced to three years and seven months' imprisonment after being convicted of false imprisonment.

All five were also made subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing contact with the victim and members of his family.

We have released CCTV footage showing the victim's escape from the Portland Street property and the subsequent arrests of the offenders.

The victim has given permission for this footage to be shared. Steps have been taken to protect his identity and safeguard his privacy.

The footage provides a stark illustration of the fear and desperation the victim experienced, as well as the swift police response that followed his escape.

Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and cooperation. The information provided by residents plays a vital role in helping us identify offenders, protect vulnerable people, and keep our communities safe. Whilst current demand remains exceptionally high, officers across Gainsborough and Market Rasen continue to work tirelessly to respond to incidents, investigate crime, and achieve positive outcomes for victims.

To view the video released alongside this, please click this link: Five sentenced after kidnap victim's desperate escape leads him straight to police officers | Lincolnshire Police

https://www.lincs.police.uk/.../apply-now-to-become-a.../

For residents in West Lindsey who are considering a career in policing, I would be happy to offer advice and guidance throughout the application process. I can be contacted at:

Michael.Head@lincs.police.uk