Derbyshire Constabulary has seized 99 illegally modified e-scooters in a crackdown across the county, with a mix of 39 e-scooters and e-bikes captured on 29 November.
The recent operation saw officers from the Derby Safer Neighbourhood Team & Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit partner with key operators from Derby City Council and the Derbion, utilising the latter’s network of CCTV surveillance to identify illegal riders.
Of the units seized, one e-bike had been fitted with a motor with the capacity to propel the vehicle to speeds of up to 50mph, alongside modifications to remove its brakes.
Once confiscated, e-bikes were tested by officers from the county’s Vehicle Inspection Unit to assess their legality and suitability on public roads.
Speaking about the Derby operation, Sergeant Jamie Millard said:We know e-bikes and e-scooters are a real concern for local people, who report having to jump out of the way of riders going along pavements at high speed.
E-scooters can only be used on private land, and e-bikes have to meet certain requirements. Some of the vehicles we seized were a danger to both the rider and those around them, as they were rigged to go at high speeds which also carries a fire risk too.
These results make it clear that we are taking action against the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters. We hope this action reassures the community of Derby and helps educate potential buyers about the law and risks in the run up to Christmas.
Moving forward, Derbyshire Constabulary will no longer be under any obligation to issue initial warnings for the use of e-scooters at time of first offence, possessing the power to seize vehicles immediately. This power has also been extended to local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in order to tackle rising issues throughout Derbyshire.
Laws regarding the use of e-bikes in the UK can be found on the Government’s website, and to find out more regarding local laws on e-scooters head to your local constabulary’s website.
