E-scooters: Kent Police issue warning ahead of Christmas

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Maidstone district commander for Kent Police chief inspector Mark McLellan
Image caption,

Mr McLellan said he is not urging people to avoid the vehicle as a gift

Christmas shoppers have been reminded by Kent police about the laws relating to e-scooters.

PC Mitch Hunt said people "looking to buy an e-scooter as a gift" should know it is against the law to use them anywhere other than on private land.

"It is an offence to ride an e-scooter in a public space," he said.

Fifty-three people were involved in accidents involving e-scooters in Kent in the 12 months up to June, according to government data.

Nationally there were seven deaths and 390 serious causalities relating to e-scooter crashes, the Department of Transport figures also show.

Image source, Getty Images/Richard Baker

Kent Police Ch Insp Mark McLellan said: "You risk getting a £300 fine.

"So it's an expensive present that could be taken off you on Boxing Day, for example, if you are buying one at Christmas."

Ch Insp McLellan said that he was not asking people to avoid giving e-scooters as a gift, he just wanted users to be educated.

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