E-scooter gifts should be returned to shops, Met officer says

Demand for e-scooters has surged in recent times

Anyone given an e-scooter as a Christmas gift should return it, a senior Met officer has said.

The devices have proved popular gifts even though privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use on roads or in public places.

Ch Supt Simon Ovens said buying an e-scooter as a present was "crazy" because they were a danger to riders and others.

"They're simply not built for our roads," he added.

But 8Tev, an e-scooter brand active across UK, Middle East and Europe, disputed this claim saying its e-scooters were suitable for all terrain.

E-scooter firms say the vehicles are an "ideal" way to travel outdoors during the pandemic

It is currently only legal to use a non-rented e-scooter on private land and Met officers have been instructed to pull over anyone seen riding one in a public space.

Those caught could face a £300 fine, points on their driving licence or have the device seized.

So far, a total of 353 e-scooters have been seized by the Met - up from 268 in November.

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Ch Supt Ovens said the devices, which can exceed 30mph (48.3km/h), were both dangerous to use in public and "break all sorts of laws".

"To get on one of these things is plain craziness," he said.

"They have no suspension so you can just hit a dink in the road and come off, while on the pavement they're really threatening to other members of the public."

Riders can be fined, have points added to their driving licence or have their e-scooter seized

The number of e-scooters being ridden in the capital has increased in the past year.

In November, retailer Halfords revealed that demand for e-scooters had surged.

Ch Supt Ovens told the BBC anyone given an e-scooter should think about taking it "back to the manufacturer or shop".

"It's not illegal for retailers to sell them but there's a lack of awareness," he said.

"It's got to be made really clear that they're not to be used in public places and I'm not sure retailers have done that properly."

'Taking away freedom'

Lotte Beilin, from 8Tev, said more work should be done to improve road surfaces.

"Bicycles suffer equally from poor road surfaces so why do the police not think the roads are unsuitable for them?

"E-scooters are perfect for people to move around safely and securely as long as everyone is educated how to ride them properly, with a helmet and lights so that drivers are aware of them.

"Banning e-scooters, especially when they are legal in most other countries, is not the way forward.

"The UK should know that taking away freedom usually has the reverse impact. Education on how to ride them and ensuring road surfaces and lane management is safe is the only way to go with e-scooters as they are not going away."

Emily Hartridge was killed while riding an e-scooter in Battersea

One person has died in London while using an e-scooter - TV presenter and YouTuber Emily Hartridge.

Ch Supt Ovens said he was not against new technology being introduced but Scotland Yard "really don't want more deaths".

The Met is keen to support a trial on rental e-scooters as they would be "a bit safer and more compliant", he added.

Trials have started elsewhere in the UK and were due to begin in the capital in the spring, although this could be delayed due to lockdown.