Worksop: Arson attack at Sandhill Lake is ‘disheartening’ for local community

Serious damage has been caused to brand new facilities at Sandhill Lake following an arson attack.
Pictures of Fire damage to one of the new Rubber Fishing Platforms, at Sandhill Lakes, Worksop.Pictures of Fire damage to one of the new Rubber Fishing Platforms, at Sandhill Lakes, Worksop.
Pictures of Fire damage to one of the new Rubber Fishing Platforms, at Sandhill Lakes, Worksop.

A recently installed rubber fishing platform was set alight and police have confirmed the blaze was deliberate.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 5pm on Sunday 12th October and spent around 30 minutes tackling the flames.

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Sandhill Lake, also known as Godfrey’s Pond, received a £100,000 major facelift earlier this year - which included the installation of the new fishing platforms - in a bid to attract more visitors.

A Notts Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating this as arson. We believe it happened between 4.30pm and 5.10pm.”

“If anyone saw anything or has any information please get in touch with police on 101.”

New footpaths, barriers, fences and gates were also fitted as a number of partnerships and organisations came together to try give the area a boost.

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The project was spearheaded by local community group Sandy Lane Forum, along with funding from WREN, Notts County Council, Bassetlaw District Council and Friends of Sandhill Lake.

The arson comes just weeks after a family fun day, organised by the Canal & River Trust on Saturday 4th October, in which young children and their parents were invited to explore the outdoor spaces.

The arson is understood to have shocked local residents and appears to be a random attack.

Coun Julie Leigh, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “It is extremely disheartening and frustrating that mindless vandals have torched a fishing platform simply, for what appears to be, their own amusement.”

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“A great deal of money has been spent to try and improve facilities and the appearance of Sandhill Lake and I would ask local residents to be vigilant and to pass on any information they may have to the police.”

The opening of the new facilities in April was praised by councillors in which a great deal of effort and time had gone into the project.

At the unveiling, coun David Pressley, ward member for Worksop North West, said: “This project will bring much needed improvements to a great facility which can become a hub of community activity, not just for this area, but for all of Bassetlaw.”

“Many residents are unaware of Sandhill Lake and I hope that this regeneration will encourage people to visit and enjoy the fantastic surroundings.”