Police in England and Wales have been granted greater powers to tackle the misuse of illegal electric bikes and scooters. New laws introduced this summer allow officers to seize these vehicles without a formal warning if they are being used in an anti-social manner. Once seized, the vehicles can be crushed within 48 hours.
The issue of illegal e-bikes and scooters, often ridden by individuals with obscured identities, has been linked to irritation, alarm, and in some cases, fatalities. Earlier this year, an 18-year-old rider was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving after colliding with a woman on a pedestrian crossing in Sunderland.
In Scotland, ministers have expressed support for increasing police seizure powers, noting that bikes can already be seized under certain circumstances. Across the UK, some police forces have established specialised units, including the use of drones, to track riders. In London, the Metropolitan Police have deployed a fleet of 25 Sur-Ron dirt bikes, reportedly contributing to a 13,000 reduction in mobile phone thefts over a year.
New restrictions under Operation Reclaim in Nottingham, introduced this week, empower police and council officers to order the removal of face coverings in public, with a £70 fixed penalty notice for non-compliance. Exemptions are in place for religious, medical, and other legitimate reasons.