E-scooters confiscated and destroyed by Herts police

Electronic scooters illegally ridden on the streets of Herts are being confiscated, the Chief Constable has assured the Police and Crime Commissioner.

PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards asked Chief Constable Charlie Hall about the enforcement of the laws around e-scooters during his most recent monthly Accountability and Performance meeting.

Are e-scooters legal on pavements?

In the discussion, which was broadcast live on the internet, Mr Hall said action is being taken against riders who are breaking the law by using them on public roads and pavements.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “E-scooters are primarily on the agenda today because they have driven probably the largest amount of correspondence into my office over recent months compared to any other topic.

“There are particular community concerns from residents about the use of these scooters in town centres, specifically from blind people and those with disabilities, around the impact of people whizzing around town centres.”

Asked for clarification on the legality of using e-scooters, Herts' Chief Constable replied: “It's not unlawful to sell these scooters.

"These scooters can only be used on private land but they are not lawfully to be used on public roads, pavements, or other pedestrian areas, and there is a reason for that.

“An e-scooter is something called a mechanically propelled vehicle and effectively it becomes classified as a motor vehicle.

"You can only lawfully use a motor vehicle on the road if it fits certain criteria, and that would include it needing to be insured and taxed.

"It will need to have passed certain safety testing regimes set by the Department of Transport and as there is no such regime, as a result it is unlawful to use e-scooters on a public road.”

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E-scooters seized by police in Hertford in 2023. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

'A danger to rider and pedestrians'

When questioned about what the police are doing about them being ridden in dangerous ways in public, Mr Hall replied: “Firstly, we recognise the danger both to the individual riding these scooters, and we have in Hertfordshire dealt with a handful of cases where people have come off these and of course quite significant injury to themselves, so that there's definitely a risk to the people riding these.

“But I think many members of the public would equally rightly identify the risk to other road users, or particularly pedestrians, and we've had some examples of injuries have been caused to members of the public by people riding e-scooters as well. So we absolutely recognise the need to bear down on this where it is happening.

“Our broad approach is to look, to educate and encourage people to comply with the law in the first place. We think that has some benefits and is a reasonable policing response to this. We've also worked inside schools and colleges.

“We have certainly looked to target that advice into places where we know people are constantly using e-scooters.

"This year so far we've seized 22 e-scooters, last year it was over 30 and the year before that it was also 30. So we're seizing those sorts of numbers of these scooters and they are being disposed of.

“I think ultimately it needs further support from government legislation to really make it very clear what position is on the use of these e-scooters.”

A seized e-scooter. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Following the meeting, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mr Ash-Edwards said: “I know that the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters on pavements in town centres is a concern for many residents.

"Due to the way the police deal with this challenge, the public won’t always see the follow up and intervention at a later stage where there is evidence.

"The starting point is to educate people about the law, which is sensible, but I am pleased that this can also lead to enforcement and seizures where appropriate.”

The Accountability & Performance meetings were introduced by the new PCC to hold the Chief Constable to account for the performance of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Held monthly at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, they are broadcast online for the public to view live.

Recordings of the meetings are also available to watch back, along with dates and joining details of future meetings, at hertscommissioner.org/apm.

The next meeting is due to be held on Thursday, October 17.