Christmas e-scooter warning as 332 seized in year

Hundreds of e-scooters have been seized across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the past year

More than 330 e-scooters have been seized across a county since January, police have said.

Police released the figures for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a warning against buying them as Christmas presents.

"E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles and those riding them need to have a driving licence and insurance when using them on public roads and in [public] spaces," said PC AJ Boddington, the force's casualty reduction officer.

"Please think of this before you buy an e-scooter, as it could end up being a pretty costly Christmas."

PC Boddington warned that anyone who received an e-scooter and used it on public roads and in public spaces could see it taken away.

The only e-scooters permitted by law are those used in official, council schemes.

"It's a myth you don't need any documentation or insurance to ride them," he said.

"Official schemes do have insurance and check driving licences but you cannot individually get private e-scooter insurance."

Police are warning against buying e-scooters as Christmas presents

In May, more than 70 e-scooters and e-bikes were seized in a three-day crackdown in part of the county.

Cambridgeshire Police said all the vehicles were being ridden illegally and there had been increasing concerns and complaints raised by members of the public.

In the UK, privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use in public places and on public roads, although e-scooters provided as part of an approved trial scheme - such as by Voi in Cambridge - are legal.

Anyone 14 or over can ride e-bikes on public roads - as long as the bikes meet the legal criteria.