Wakefield Council, working with the Community Safety Partnership, has launched targeted action days to tackle illegal and anti-social use of electric scooters and bikes.
Between April and August, officers completed 18 days of action. During this period, 134 riders of electric scooters were stopped and spoken with about safety and the legal issues surrounding their use.
Enforcement and Warnings
Police issued 30 warnings to riders acting in an anti-social manner. A total of 15 vehicles have been seized by the Police.
The Off-Road Bike Team worked with neighbourhood policing teams to engage with young people involved in riding illegal e-vehicles. In total, 171 young people — either riders or those connected to the riding of illegal e-vehicles — plus their parents or guardians were offered information about safety and legal issues.
Vehicles are seized where riders continue to use them after a prior warning, or where the vehicle is used dangerously, poses a clear safety risk, or forms part of a wider offending pattern.
Police Message to Parents and Guardians
Chief Inspector Emma Hooks of Wakefield District said: "Our dedicated Off-Road Bike Team work closely with our neighbourhood policing teams in carrying out proactive patrols to identify and seize bikes that are being ridden illegally or in an anti-social manner."
She added: "We would urge parents and guardians to think carefully before purchasing these bikes and to understand the impact their use can have on local communities. These vehicles can pose significant safety risks, and there have been a number of serious incidents nationally linked to their use."
How to Report
Members of the public can report the anti-social use of electric scooters or bikes online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/report-nuisance-bikes. Information can also be passed to police by calling 101. Any crime in progress or threat to life should be reported via 999.
