Police using drones to hunt down illegal e-scooters

A grey and black drone is seen from the side, while resting on tarmac in a carpark. It has several wings at the end of its legs and has a camera on its main body. Next to the drone is a controller, with a digital screen, several buttons and a joystick.

Gloucestershire Constabulary's drones are used to support officers on the ground

Edward Rowe
BBC Gloucestershire Political Reporter

Drones are being used more regularly by police in Gloucestershire to help confiscate illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.

The drone unit gives the constabulary a tactical aerial advantage which they wouldn't have otherwise – helicopters are used only for the most serious crimes.

Officers took 15 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters off the streets in Cheltenham and 33 in Gloucester in a recent operation.

"If you're there to be found, we will find you with the drone," said operator Special Constable Adam Murcott. "We've got the ability to locate and follow vehicles that may not stop for police."

A man in a black police top is standing on a patch of tarmac with a drone on the floor behind him. The man is drone operator PCSO Adam Murcott of Gloucestershire Constabulary. He has a beard, short brown hair and glasses.

Drone operator Special Constable Adam Murcott helps locate illegal scooters and bikes

The efforts are part of Gloucestershire Constabulary's Safer Street Summer Initiative, focused on making town and city centres safer by tackling issues such as shoplifting, street crime and anti-social behaviour.

Special Constable Murcott helps police on the ground locate the riders of the illegal vehicles.

"A lot of these people riding [illegal] e-scooters haven't got driving licences – they are not suitable to be on the road," he said.

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said he has had a lot of complaints from the public about the electric vehicles speeding through pedestrianised areas.

"The illegal e-bikes are extremely heavy and if that's scooting along at 20 or 30mph and it hits someone, you could kill a person," Mr Nelson said.

A row of at least five bicycles parked against a brick wall. They have different accessories including bags, locks and large batteries.Gloucestershire Constabulary

Illegal e-bikes seized in a recent operation by Gloucestershire Constabulary

Privately owned e-scooters cannot be ridden on roads, pavements or in any other public place.

For e-bikes, the maximum speed legally allowed when pedalling with motor assistance is 15.5mph.

Illegal e-bikes and private e-scooters cannot be insured or registered for use in public, so anyone doing so is committing insurance and driving licence offences, the force said.

Offenders may be given a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on a driving licence, and their vehicle may be destroyed.

Police expect drones to become more integrated in their work in the future, as the range of the devices increases.

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