Police forces across the UK have been selling seized e-bikes at auction, despite concerns that these vehicles could end up back in the hands of criminals. A BBC investigation found that at least 161 e-bikes were sold last year and 54 in 2024, although the actual number could be higher as not all forces responded to Freedom of Information requests.
Thousands of e-bikes are confiscated annually, often due to suspicions of illegal driving or use in crime. While most seized e-bikes are destroyed, some forces, including West Midlands Police and Police Scotland, have sold them, stating that the proceeds are used to fund policing or contribute to local good causes. Police Scotland, for example, sold 93 seized e-bikes last year.
However, some forces have recently changed their policies. Durham Constabulary, which sold 29 e-bikes last year, stated that seized e-bikes will now be crushed without exception. West Mercia Police, which sold 24 e-bikes and one e-scooter last year, also confirmed they will no longer sell such vehicles.
Clive Grunshaw, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, urged police forces to stop selling e-bikes, describing them as the "transport of choice for drug gangs" due to their difficulty to catch. He expressed concern that criminals might buy back their seized vehicles or acquire legally compliant e-bikes from auctions and then illegally modify them to travel at high speeds.