ILLEGAL electric bikes, scramblers and scooters are being targeted in a new police operation.
Dorset Police has launched the crackdown in response to a surge in incidents involving such vehicles in parts of Poole and North Bournemouth.
Illegal vehicles will be seized and offenders arrested during increased patrols in anti-social behaviour hotspots, the force said, with the vehicles then sent to be crushed and recycled.
So far this year, up to the beginning of July, officers have seized 52 electric scooters and 33 electric bikes, which have been driven illegally.
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Inspector Nick Lee, of the Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “We know that the use of these illegally adapted electric vehicles is enabling other crimes such as serious violent crime, drug-dealing and acquisitive crime, and so we have launched this operation as a measure to crack down on criminality.
“Tackling ASB also remains a key priority for the Force and the large proportion of calls we have received demonstrates how concerned our communities are about the use of these vehicles in public.
“We therefore remain committed to responding to these reports and cracking down on the criminality and ASB associated with their use.
“Our response to this issue will also be shared with the College of Policing and contribute towards how this matter is addressed on a national scale.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, added: “For some time, I have spoken about my concerns around the risks of e-scooters and illegally modified bikes, so I am pleased to see this tough approach from Dorset Police towards those causing fear and harm in our communities. I know the impact this type of anti-social behaviour can have so it is vital residents see the positive action being taken.
“I am absolutely clear; if you’re caught riding one of these vehicles illegally, it will be seized, crushed and recycled. Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan and I will continue to support the Force in robustly tackling this issue to ensure people can feel safe where they live and work.”
Brilliant!.Dorset Police. It’s not just e bikes and scooters being ridden erratically though, 3 bikes went through red lights in ashley road Parkstone yesterday, 1 nearly hitting a woman on a crossing and 1 having 2 people on board, weaving between stopped vehicles. They have no care for anyone else. Those e bikes come upon you at speed and snake in-between cars and lorries. Can you please next have a purge on delivery mopeds, they also have no care about other drivers. I rarely see Police about, just the odd car, you should be back out on the streets with the public and a new section set up for Internet crime which uses civilians too, as it takes up so much of your time, red tape needs removing, and officers working from home should to go back to the office. I really hope to see a difference from good old police work.