REDDITCH Police are warning parents not to buy their children e-scooters or hoverboards after a rise in their illegal use across the borough.
Now the official e-scooter trial in Redditch has been suspended, police say there has been an increase in the use of private ones.
Officers are reminding people that, although it is legal to buy e-scooters, the use of them and hoverboards is illegal on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes and pedestrian-only areas.
Hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters, are not legal for road use and cannot be ridden on the pavement as this would be an offence under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835.
E-scooters and hoverboards can only be ridden on private land with the permission of the landowner.
The vehicles are classed by the government as ‘Powered Transporters’ and fall under the same laws and regulations that apply to all motor vehicles in terms of requiring insurance, tax, MOT, licence, and registration.
Insp Richard Field, from Redditch Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The local policing team is aware of an increase of e-scooter and hoverboard use across the borough.
“We are urging people and parents not to buy them.
“The riders using these have no helmets, no insurance or MoT.
“We want to warn people that those caught on them in public risk having them seized.”
Illegal riders can also face fines for their actions.
Enforcement operations are being planned along with sessions to educate young people.
