Dozens of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters seized

Police officers carried out the crackdown on Wednesday

Dozens of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters were seized in a single day during a crackdown in Leicester city centre.

Police said 57 riders were stopped on Wednesday, with 17 e-scooter and 11 e-bike seizures made.

A total of 29 e-bikes that were stopped during the crackdown complied with government regulations, Leicestershire Police added.

Officers said they hoped the crackdown would "act as a clear deterrent" for other people riding illegally.

E-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, except for when they are hired as part of a government-approved scheme.

Officers said they were responding to "community concerns"

People can legally ride electric bicycles across the country, but they must not exceed an output of 250 watts, and the bicycles must cut off electrical assistance when they reach 15.5mph (24.9km/h).

Sgt Zane Tompkins, of Leicestershire Police, said: "Listening to our community and taking action against the issues they raise is important.

"I hope that the seizing of these vehicles acts as a clear deterrent to anyone who rides illegally through our city."

It comes after police made the decision to start seizing illegal vehicles in the first instance without warning.

Previously, people caught riding illegally were given a warning and police would immobilise their vehicle with a cable tie.

Riders caught a second time faced having their vehicles confiscated, leading to eight e-scooters and five e-mopeds being seized, the force said.