Teens arrested as police target e-scooter riding

Riding e-scooters is only allowed on private land

Two teenagers have been arrested as part of a police operation targeting illegal e-scooter riding and anti-social behaviour in a town centre.

Hertfordshire Police said 11 e-scooters had been seized in Stevenage following complaints about the illegal use of the vehicles in public areas.

It said a 17-year old boy, from the town, is due in court after being reported for using an e-scooter without a licence or insurance, and failing to stop for police.

Another scooter was taken on Wednesday when another 17-year-old was reported for riding an e-scooter without insurance.

Hertfordshire Police have taken a number of e-scooters over several months

It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public spaces, including on the road, and those found doing it risk receiving a large fine, points on their driving licence and seizure of their scooter.

The force has been running Operation Scoot, since July, following complaints from members of the public about the illegal use of these vehicles in public areas, it said.

PC Jack Pickering, who is leading the operation, said often the vehicles were "ridden at speed and in a dangerous manner", especially in the Queensway area.

He had devised a system to make it easier for officers to identify and remove these vehicles from the streets, the force added.

"We know these vehicles are popular and many people may be buying them for themselves or their children, unaware that they are breaking the law by riding one," he said.

"If you are a parent letting your child ride one in public, you will be the one found responsible and in turn this could affect your own driving licence."