Electric scooter rider issued with police warning in Telford amid concerns
An electric scooter rider in Telford has been issued with a warning notice by police amid a rise in queries about legality of public use.
Whilst on patrol on Tuesday afternoon (September 30), PC Frendo PCSO Wills from the Ketley and Oakengates Safer Neighbourhood Team spotted an e-scooter being ridden along a pavement on New Street, Oakengates.
Officers stopped the individual and issued a Section 59 warning notice. This means that if the rider commits a similar anti-social offence within the next 12 months, the vehicle - or any other vehicle they are using - can be seized.
PCSO Willis said local police have recently received "many" queries about the public use of e-scooters.
In a post on West Mercia Police's Neighbourhood Matters page, the PCSO reminded residents that privately owned e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, or cycle paths, and can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
It stated: "E-scooters are classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles by the government and as such fall under the same laws and regulations that apply to all motor vehicles in terms of requiring insurance, tax, MOT, driving licence and registration. There is nothing in place currently to obtain any of these for E-scooters and as a result their use in public is illegal.
"While on patrol, an E-scooter was spotted riding back and forth on the pavement on New Street, Oakengates. The officers immediately stopped the rider and as a result a Section 59 warning notice was issued.
"This warning will remain for 12 months and serves as a notice that if the driver commits a similar anti-social offence within that period that vehicle - or any other vehicle which they are driving at the time - can be seized."
