Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has issued a strong warning to illegal e-scooter and e-bike riders in Surrey that their vehicles will be seized and destroyed under a new police crackdown.

The Commissioner joined officers on a dedicated patrol in Surrey Heath on Halloween as part of Operation Scramble, which targets hot-spot areas where illegal use of these machines is prevalent.

From November 1, Surrey introduced a new procedure applying a ‘no returns’ policy for seized e-scooters, illegal e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and unregistered off-road motorcycles. This means that any such vehicles caught being used unlawfully on roads or public spaces will be confiscated and destroyed, with no chance of being returned to their owners.

Before the operation began in October, Surrey Police had already seized 136 e-bikes and e-scooters in 2023. The county has also seen two serious injury collisions involving e-scooters and three road traffic accidents involving e-bikes.

It is important to note that e-bikes must meet strict legal requirements to be ridden in public, and e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads or pavements unless part of an authorised rental scheme. Currently, there are no e-scooter rental schemes operating in Surrey, so any e-scooter seen on public roads or pavements is being used illegally.

During the summer’s Policing Your Community events, residents consistently reported problems caused by illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in towns and villages across Surrey.

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “E-bikes and e-scooters pose a significant threat to innocent motorists and pedestrians when used illegally or irresponsibly and we know their use can often be linked to wider criminal activity.

Residents have told me in some areas they have been left some fearful to walk in our town centres because of illegal riding of these vehicles.

That is simply not acceptable which is why I fully support this operation getting tough on those using these machines.

This operation will continue over the coming months right across the county and where our officers find them and seize them – they will be sent for immediate destruction.

The message is clear – illegal e-bikes and e-scooters are not welcome in Surrey and we want to take them off our streets for good.

These high-powered machines can be incredibly dangerous when ridden in public places and residents across the county have told me they have had enough.

That is why our police teams are getting tough on their reckless use in our communities. From now on if you are caught riding one in Surrey, it will be seized and you won’t be getting it back.”

For more information, residents can watch the related video here.

Source: In The Know — Surrey Latest Alerts