Essex Police seize scooters on first day of zero tolerance campaign
Crime / Thu 1st Sep 2022 at 05:30pm
ESSEX Police’s new zero tolerance approach to use of e-scooters in public has been a busy one in Harlow.
Local residents have seen them in the town centre and surrounding areas stopping people.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We have a zero tolerance around the use of e-scooters in public.
“So if you are riding an e-scooter and are able to stop you, it will be seized.
“Don’t let your scooter be next!”
Seamus
2022-09-01 17:59:31
Well done lads that's exactly what the tax payer wants to see. Don't worry about the gangs, knife crime or drug dealers.
Big steve
2022-09-01 18:07:17
That’s exactly why they have done it seamus. Some drug gangs use these for drug running. Of course most are just innocent.
tony edwards
2022-09-01 18:21:07
I appreciate that currently it is illegal to uses an e-scooter in a public road or pavement unless it is allowed as part of a Government approved scheme. However I think there is a need for some joined up thinking as in Colchester, Basildon and Chelmsford there is already an Essex County Council sponsored scheme which apparently is proving to be successful. https://www.essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier/e-scooters So to take a "zero tolerance approach" seems to me be a bit over the top. What is needed is crack down on where these scooters are being used in a dangerous or inconsiderate way. And some gentle advice to others who may be using e-scooters in a safe way but who may not be aware of the current state of the law.
Voteforme
2022-09-01 18:45:12
is it illegal to ride a bike through shopping centres? How many pedal bikes have been confiscated? It seems absurd that we allow e scooters to be imported and sold in mainstream retailers eg currys but not to be ridden. Electric scooters have been around for years, a Harlow company was even selling them 20 years ago. Yes, they can be a nuisance but is it any different to how cars were perceived 120 years ago. At least they don't pollute the streets. Very, very slow response by the govt (as always?)
Pop
2022-09-01 20:08:30
Well done Police, our pavements just got a bit safer. Be nice to see them getting crushed plus a few prosecutions but still, good work.
Matthew Saggers
2022-09-01 20:47:39
Tony, I see more and more unskilled riders who pose a danger to residents. As they are uninsured they can cause lots of problems to people especially when riding on the road. I do feel they hold the key to a low carbon transport option but we need more training and regulation on how they are used so residents don't get hurt. Until then the illegal is illegal and the great local police need to act.
Tony p
2022-09-01 21:54:20
What about the electric bikes that are more powerful going through the town centre wearing balaclavas to hide their faces i nearly got taken out by one today
Jan
2022-09-02 04:56:34
Pls guys target bush fair shopping centre there are so many that ride through there
Nostradamus
2022-09-02 08:22:16
A waste of police time and money if riders are riding responsibly. How many of those confiscated scooters were being ridden dangerously? The government is promoting scooters by pushing projects in some towns as an economic and green solution and the police are cracking down in others. Mixed and muddled messages and law enforcement make bad practice. Meanwhile we have off road powerful unregistered motor bikes all terrain Quad bikes racing on roads, parks and footpaths causing havoc. The solutions to scooter problems are better infrastructure defining where they can be ridden, point of sale registration, regulation, training and proficiency certificates. More CSOs around would help reducing crime generally especially because there seems almost no chance of having enough police personnel on the beat, ever!
novoman
2022-09-02 08:27:49
"Able to stop you" are key words, rougue riders possibly involved with criminal acts, will be the kind of people who ride recklessly to escape whilst the average kid most likely to respond to advice will get get their scooter crushed, possibly setting them in an anti law abiding mind set.
Jordan victor
2022-09-02 08:56:59
If I was a law abiding citizen and my scooter was taken off me by a currupt police person id probably become a drug dealer too
Johnny not a bike rider or scooter owner
2022-09-02 09:02:12
What's wrong with just using bikes apart from having to power them yourself surely they are a low cost alternative?...think the scooters are just an 'in' thing ....I'm sure there's as many crap bike riders as there are scooter riders isn't anyone using their bell anymore to warn of their approach? Or is it just scooter paranoia by wussy moaners?
Iain
2022-09-02 09:25:07
I had a push scooter when I was a kid and mankind was exploring space. Now mankind is still exploring space but has regressed to grown men with beards and tattoos riding around on illegal kid toys. You can easily walk or cycle the distance these things are used for, not pollute the planet, and get fit. Doesn't take much thought, but people these days are incapable of thought. Has to be some self-important narcissist on anti-social media telling them how to act.
Sarah Smith
2022-09-02 11:05:33
It’s not all drug dealers that use these scooters it’s also law abiding citizens who travel to work on them as its not only cheaper but also more environmentally friendly. If we had to road tax them you wouldn’t have a problem. I think your time is better spent investigating burglaries that in most cases you don’t even bother to visit the home that has been burgled. Absolute embarrassment this picture!!!
Theman
2022-09-02 11:21:22
Maybe hey could have a blitz on the known burglars, and drug dealers next. No chance!
Defund Politics
2022-09-02 11:42:54
Makes perfect sense for these to be illegal except for companies who are allowed to charge per usage in UK, you can use these only if you line someone else's pocket while doing so. Surely it wouldn't be difficult to have a system of requirement that these are registered/taxed etc for sensible people to use and own and meet a set of standards. Who am I kidding it's taking regular fuel tax income away from the government.
Johnny
2022-09-02 13:22:18
Cars are getting expensive to run get yourself a bike or roller skates stick the scooters in the skip😃
Jc
2022-09-02 15:30:47
There is a way forward with these e-scooters the same as there is now with the bigger mobility scooters. When selling these scooters they purchase insurance from the people who sell them before they are able to ride them either on road cycle tracks or paths..they should also only be able to do a certain speed on these scooters & when sold on from person to person also have registration forms just like cars that way you will be able to follow or find the culprits of these scooters!! Maybe also as they are becoming a quicker cheaper cleaner way of getting around is to make a law on how they are rode like bikes etc...so basically rather than hassle the riders which is why they are like they are right now to making this work rather than chasing them for doing somey that could be turned around for the better of taken into hand now.. Saying you will seize these scooters and crush them is not the way forward as this just aggrevates the whole thing & person before they even come out the door. Some of these riders are polite & do use their scooters in a law bidding way just as we do on our mobility scooters...we are not mad evil or want to cause trouble but are subject to that anyway. Police need to police this in a good way because before soon they could be using them theirselves to get around with the way petrol diesel etc is all going sky high There is a way if you really use the filters in your heads.
steve
2022-09-02 20:37:25
my daughter bought one to get to and from work and only to get to and from work.When she approaches other people she dismounts and walks past them and when crossing the road again she dismounts .For the past few years she has had to walk the two miles to work and i have had to pick her up to bring her home disrupting my day because she finishes at odd times . some times i had to get up early to take her in .I am in my middle seventies and this acting like a taxi driver can get very tiring. perhaps insurance and a driving test and licence would help the responsible riders continue to use their scooters in public. plus a number plate and registration like road vehicles and bikes must help might help.
KL
2022-09-03 14:56:25
The scooters are small and I see many take them into shops with them. Cycling usually means locking your bike outside and having it nicked within a year. Essex police should take a tougher approach to bike theft to encourage more cycling which is healthier and greener.
Bob
2022-09-03 15:28:54
There's not much worry here for most E-scooter rider and owners especially in Harlow, one or two riders I have seen are responsible but in the main they 10-16yr olds tandem riding at speed in the road and on pavements where the public are walking, I've even had one scooter rider pass me doing over 40 in Harlow. No point reporting it, no registration plates. You don't get nicked in Harlow.
Jessy
2022-09-04 20:29:25
That is absolutely disgusting especially for the innocent people who payed a lot of money worth a car and still had them taken do your jobs correctly police officers instead of feeding Yr faces on government that's why nearly everyone has became a snitch they get payed to do other people business
Jaimes M
2022-09-06 21:02:12
Honestly, of all the crimes the Police could be stopping... they go after 12-15mph E-scooters. No wonder people are losing faith in the police. These will be inevitably be legalised and the news article bragging of theirs will end up looking stupid in hindsight.
Green Vehicle User
2022-09-12 11:59:30
In a decade we won’t believe this was a thing. We’re aiming to look after the environment and banning the greenest powered vehicle on the planet. Ridiculous. I would much rather pay for a licence/registration but I’ll not be stopping for the police and good luck if they want to try and follow through the many winding routes. Who needs to tackle knife crime when you can confiscate the future of green transport? Well done! *slow clap*
Paul
2022-09-21 07:23:07
I think the cops have stolen more E Scooters in the last 2 weeks than the ones stolen outside shops propped up on their kickstand In the last 2 years. With all the cameras in the town centre we should.by.now feel comfortable to leave a bike or scooter outside a shop for 2 minutes. I think its disgusting and damn right lazy to be honest. Cars, buses, motorcycles, trains, boats It ain't just e scooters or e bikes ............ as long as you either lock up your from of transport or walk along with it to show your being considerate. Usually from leaving your front door to the town, it's not till you get to town you come into more heavy foot traffic. Always wear a helmet, be considerate and socially aware. Putting up statistics of electric scooters causing problems is a waste of time. When cars, lorrys, vans etc are causing more problems still on roads than E scooters, E bikes and other electric transport. It's a bit much talking like e scooters are big problems.i could go on for ever buy I'm just wasting my time.
Paul
2022-09-21 07:59:29
I had a fall some years back when my leg gave way, fell forward and smashed my face on my desk. Next thing I knew it was the following day. Obviously I didn't remember straight away but over the course of a week or so I fell around 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon and then I opened my eyes surprisingly with my phone in my hand I could see it was Wednesday night 7:14pm and I couldn't hardly move for around half hour, but to wake with my head tilted slightly it took a few minutes to operate my phone, pressed the side button but really all I could do was use my thumb and move my eyes. Anyway.........using a walking stick I decided to spend around 5 or 6 months to afford am e scooter with a seat as I wasn't able to afford or be ......I wasn't allowed a mobility scooter......... £2195 the cheapest
Ray
2022-10-25 13:34:41
I can drive a car, I can ride a motorbike I can use a pushbike and electric bike reaching speeds of upto 30 mph but I cant ride my escooter that does about 13mph, there legal in nearly every country except the one that brought laws to the world. and as for the police this is a soft target six points, fine, seizure. if there used for actual crime then stop them but as far as I can see on any police program you can get caught doing a lot worse and then at the end of the program it says the crimes and no further action. this just gets stats up.
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