Hundreds of e-scooters seized in the South East

New owners of electric scooters are being warned by police not to ride them illegally, after hundreds were seized in south-east England over the last five years.

E-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, except for those used in council rental schemes as part of a national trial.

The government recently announced a new clampdown on anti-social behaviour including the use of e-scooters on pavements.

Sussex police and crime commissioner, Katy Bourne, said: "We usually seize well over a hundred every year from people who are riding them illegally."

Ms Bourne told the BBC: "If you're riding this on the road you are breaking the law for a start, because you don't have insurance."

She is asking manufacturers and retailers to make sure members of the public who buy e-scooters are told that it is illegal to ride them on public roads.

"The first time a young person is seen breaking the law, [police] will approach them and educate them, and explain to them and their parents that this is illegal."

If they are caught a second time they will be prosecuted, Ms Bourne said.

"For adults if they catch you, you will face a prosecution, which is a fine of up to £300 and six points on your driving licence."

Latest figures show 164 seizures were made by Kent Police during 2023/24, compared with 73 the year before.

Since 2019/20, the force has seized more than 400 e-scooters, according to a freedom of information request.

Surrey Police made 195 seizures over the same period.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police confirmed they have confiscated more than 400 e-scooters since 2021.

Sussex Assistant Chief Constable, Pete Gardner, says his force takes action if e-scooters are used on public land.

"E-scooters are not licensed by the DVLA. You cannot get insurance for privately owned ones, and they can be seized by the police for having no insurance," he said.

Sarah Carter from Canterbury told BBC South East she was still suffering after being struck by an e-scooter in the city in 2022, during a two-year trial of a rental scheme, which has now concluded.

"I suffered a broken arm at the time and I've lost strength in it. I also had a broken jaw and cheekbone,

"It's left me more nervous and extremely cautious in the street", she added.

Separate figures from the Department for Transport show six people were killed in collisions involving e-scooters in 2023, down from 12 in 2022.

There were 1,292 collisions involving the devices in 2023, compared with 1,411 crashes in 2022.

Across Kent, Surrey and Sussex there were 85 reported casualties in collisions involving e-scooters last year.

Manufacturers say there is a growing market for the vehicles.

Callum Rose, managing director of Envirorides Electric Scooters in Ashford, said some customers in rural areas were purchasing them for use on private land.

"We do find in rural Kent quite a few farmers purchasing some of our models that are more designed for off-road use, they are using it to get to and from their land, when they're working in the summer especially."

He says his company makes it "really clear" what the rules are.

"Both on our website and with people in store, we always make sure they're aware of the rules and regulations."

Mr Rose says he is backing calls to allow their wider use.

"I think it offers an economic alternative in today's world and people are finding they need a cheaper transport to and from work."

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "We recognise the concerns around e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly for vulnerable groups, and we are closely following the e-scooter trials to look at how they can be used safely on our roads.

"Private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, and trial e-scooters must meet construction standards."

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