More than 1,000 e-scooters have been taken off the streets of Derbyshire since a zero-tolerance crackdown launched to address public concerns.
Derbyshire Police has been trailblazing a robust ‘seize and dispose’ policy since 1st November 2024 to tackle the growing menace of illegal and dangerously ridden e-scooters on the county’s roads and in public spaces.
The fast-track measure, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, has now seen more than 1,000 e-scooters immediately seized and removed from the roads. This tough approach has put Derbyshire ahead of the curve in dealing with reckless or anti-social driving of the vehicles.
The government has now introduced national measures allowing police to crush or dispose of seized anti-social vehicles much faster than the previous 14-day rule.
It is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on a public road, pavement or public space in the UK because they cannot be legally insured.
Those who flout the law can face prosecution through the courts as well as the seizure and immediate destruction of their e-scooter.
Anyone who causes serious harm to another person while riding an e-scooter will be prosecuted in the same way as if they were riding a motorcycle or driving a car.
The PCC has spearheaded a major awareness campaign to raise awareness of the illegality of e-scooters and has issued a fresh warning to parents well ahead of Christmas to think twice before adding the vehicles to the shopping list.
Signage funded by the PCC is already in place in open green spaces and e-scooter hotspots across Derbyshire to alert people to their responsibilities under the law.
Primary and Secondary schools across the force area are also aware of the tough policy after the PCC issued letters to encourage support in raising awareness of e-scooters.
Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “Derbyshire Constabulary has worked relentlessly to tackle the illegal use of e-scooters, carrying out targeted enforcement in hotspots across the county. This has removed more than 1,000 e-scooters from our streets in under two years, sending a clear message that unlawful use will not be tolerated.
“I would urge any individual, parent or carer to think carefully before buying an e-scooter. Unless it can be used legally on private land with the landowner’s permission, it is simply not worth the risk.
“E-scooters have been linked to fatal and serious collisions across Great Britain, with riders, pedestrians and other road users all put at risk. These vehicles are not toys.
“Enforcement will continue and anyone caught riding illegally can expect their e-scooter to be seized and destroyed. Avoid the cost, the penalty points, a court appearance, or worse, a life-changing injury, by leaving e-scooters off the shopping list.”
Inspector Lee Welsby from our Roads Policing team said: “Seizing more than 1,000 e-scooters demonstrates the scale of the issue, and the work our officers are doing to tackle it.
“Our priority is keeping people safe, as an e-scooter at low speeds could still cause serious injuries for a pedestrian or the rider in the event of a collision. However, some of the examples we’ve seen have been shocking – a child falling off an e-scooter travelling at 40mph doesn’t bear thinking about.
“As Christmas approaches, please ensure that you understand the rules before buying an e-scooter and save yourself the time, money and stress of having one seized.”
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Editor Information
All the force’s PCSOs across the county (almost 200 officers) have received full training on the new procedure.
This has enabled officers to respond more swiftly and effectively when they are reported to be causing a nuisance.
The PCC has prioritised Anti-Social Behaviour in her Police and Crime Plan and acted swiftly to address residents’ concerns around illegal e-scooters when she was elected.
The PCC previously lobbied the government to review enforcement, engagement, and the overall sale of e-scooters with the aim of seeking legislative change to further protect communities.
She has growing concerns about reports of e-scooters being modified to increase their speed and power, posing additional risks to road users.
Members of the public who witness someone riding an e-scooter illegally can support the force’s efforts by reporting it directly to Derbyshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101 or online.