More than 80 e-scooters and e-bikes have been seized by Dorset Police this year as part of a targeted clampdown on illegal and dangerous riding across the county.
The figures, released by Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, confirm 50 electric scooters and 33 e-bikes have been taken off the roads after being used illegally.
A new police operation has also been launched in Poole and North Bournemouth, focusing on modified scooters, scramblers and e-bikes. Officers are increasing patrols in known anti-social behaviour hotspots and aim to arrest offenders, seize vehicles and destroy them.
The Commissioner says he continues to press for national legislation to clarify rules around e-scooters and e-bikes, including calls for licence plates, insurance, minimum age requirements and speed limits.
He said Dorset Police’s approach includes both enforcement and innovation, using SmartTag forensic spray and academic analysis from Bournemouth University to improve future policing strategies. He added “only hire scheme e-scooters are legal on public roads, with all other use restricted to private land.”