OFFICERS from Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) seized four illegal e-scooters, in a mission to crackdown their use in the town.
During an action day on Monday (October 2) officers were out in the town centre and surrounding areas, with the aim to show the public the dangers E-scooters pose.
Now the official e-scooter trial in Redditch has been suspended, police say there has been an increase in the use of private ones.
Four E-scooters were seized during the operation, and will be destroyed.
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 Rich Field from Redditch SNT lead the operation.
He said: “In the U.K it’s illegal to use e-scooters on public roads. We’ve seized four during out operation today, and hope to crackdown on their use in the town.
“We’re hoping that the public understand the dangers of using e-scooters, and that they will face a fine and points on their licence if found using one.
“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.”
More enforcement operations are being planned along with sessions to educate young people.
