Greater Manchester Police seizures 21 illegal e-scooters in less than three months
Since 1 October 2020, Greater Manchester Police have seized over 20 electric scooters as part of a crackdown on their illegal use on roads, pavements, cycle lanes and other public places.
Despite the increased popularity in the use of e-scooters, GMP officers are reminding people that current laws only allow for them to be ridden on private land with the owner’s permission. E-scooters used in public places can be seized by police, and riders may be prosecuted for operating a vehicle without insurance.
There is currently a trial ongoing in Salford in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the University of Salford for the use of e-scooters. This allows for the legal use of Lime e-scooters in the designated trial area only.
Inspector Steve Bryant, from GMP’s Safer Transport Team, said: “We want to ensure that people have the right information when it comes to e-scooters, particularly as many may buy or receive them for Christmas. We are aware that not all sellers make the regulations clear at the point of sale; therefore we will continue to raise awareness so that hard-working people do not waste their money on something they cannot currently use.
“To ensure everyone is kept safe on our roads, our officers will be seizing e-scooters used illegally.”
