Northamptonshire Police is sending a message to nuisance private e-scooter riders by showing them what could happen to their vehicles if they are found riding in a public place.
The popularity of e-scooters has grown substantially in recent years with people able to hire them in towns and cities across the world.
In Northamptonshire, e-scooter company – Voi, run a scheme which allows users to pay for scooters by the minute via an app.
However, privately owned e-scooters are not currently allowed to be ridden on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements. They can only be ridden on private land. This is because they are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) and are subject to all the same legal requirements as other motor vehicles.
Recently, the Force has been cracking down on people who ride private e-scooters in public places and following a number of seizures, have crushed a number of these vehicles at a recycling plant.
Safer Roads Team Manager Matt O’Connell said: “Private e-scooters are currently not legal to ride on the roads and are not covered by insurance companies. I would urge anyone thinking of buying one to reconsider and if you are caught riding one you could face points on your license, a fine, and the chance of your vehicle being seized and crushed.
“As the popularity of e-scooters has increased, Northamptonshire Police has had a lot of contact from members of the public who have expressed concerns about private e-scooter riders driving dangerously around the county.
“We want to reassure the local community that we are listening to their concerns and acting upon them and I hope this is demonstrated through this enforcement action.”
