Police in Margate seized seven e-scooters during an operation held on April 28, in response to concerns raised by residents about the safety risks of e-scooters used illegally around the town.
Local officers carried out patrols in and around Margate. A number of people were stopped after they were seen riding on the pavements in Northdown Road, Cliftonville. Two people were seen riding on the same scooter, as well as another with an adult and a young child on.
Inspector Richard Batten of Kent Police said: “During the operation we stopped a scooter where an adult was seen riding at some speed while a child was positioned at the front. Had they been in a collision, it could have resulted in serious injuries for the child.
“E-scooters might seem like a great idea for children to have, but it is important that anyone considering buying one understands the law surrounding them and that they are at risk of being seized.
“It is against the law to use e-scooters on public streets, pavements or cycle lanes. They are only permitted on private land, with the landowner’s permission, and in parts of the country where the Government has permitted trials. Currently there are no Government-permitted trials in Kent.
“Using e-scooters around the streets of Thanet creates hazards to other road users and if there was a collision, their lack of insurance will result in others having to pay out for their actions.
“Officers will continue to carry out proactive checks in Thanet this summer so the message is clear that anyone found riding an e-scooter will have action taken against them.”
Having been narrowly missed by one on a pavement with a silent approach (no bell / audible warning) I am so pleased to read this. My only question is….Why has it taken so long? 😡
Seizures should be happening on a regular basis.
You certainly cannot drive from Ramsgate to Margate on any day without spotting several – and they are everywhere when schools turn out . . .
I think they can be a great thing, but should be age restricted and only used on the road
Yeah like that would stop them Ten! I use my mobility scooter at least 5 days a week, and I can gurantee I will have a near death experience at least once! My scooter is insured, and should I cause damage to property, or harm someone, then they will be repaid for any loss or damage. I saw 2 girls on a scooter recently, about 10 or 11 years old! Had they hit me, and caused harm, or damage who would pay, their parents, yeah right again!
On another occasion I saw a teenager perhaps 15 or 16 on a scooter with a toddler, perhaps 2 or 3 years old! The child was screaming in fear, and the idiot teenager who was on the pavement, was laughing loudly! I could go on, but just to say yes please police, seize these machines, whenever you can, they are a menace!
With tax, insurance and a driving licence, no?
It’s not just the speed that makes these machines antisocial and dangerous. A lot of these unlawful users also ride within inches of shop doorways. The same applies to inconsiderate cyclists in Ramsgate’s town centre.
It’s not often I praise the often near-invisible local Police, but a big “Well done” in this case! I hope they make this a regular thing.
Well done ,but maybe start on cycles that have been adapted with petrol /electric motors .One around where I live ,thinks nothing about speeding on the pavement, not a child but a adult around 50 years old absolutely maniac
About time too.
They need to be regulated, like all motorised modes of transport. This includes mobility scooters on main roads.
There’s nothing wrong with the idea of an electric scooter. Keeps additional cars off the road.
Most of them would not have a driving licence,so no extra cars there
brilliant news ! i hope they deal with ramsgate next , i have even seen these abominations hurtle through red traffic lights , they are a death waiting to happen
Far too long before police acted on this. I’ve seen plenty e-scooter users’ pass patrolling cars without any fear of apprehension.
I live on Northdown Rd and they were/are a menace to all.
Now deal with antisocial speeding and exhaust backfiring noisy vehicles, please.
Well I see them on the streets paths when I am driving. But I must say I can count on one hand the amount of police on our streets. No wander people flout the law.
Only about 700 left in Thanet to go. Maybe more. No insurance or a care for the public. I walk my dog twice a day and hardly a week goes past without a near miss. Bicycles on pavements are just as bad. I am very careful and keep my dog on a short lead, a real lead, not a hand held extending one. This has been very lucky for us as these menaces fly past at goodness knows what speed. I can get the dog out of the way very fast. plus myself quite often.
These machines are not just a menace, they are anti-social! The amount of near misses I have had when they use pavements is incalcuable! The obvious answer would be have them registered like a moped, so they have a number plate! If that happened they would disapear from our street overnight!
Back to ‘normal’ on Northdown Rd.
Today l was very nearly knocked over by a youth on an E scooter speeding along the pave by the Shell garage.
I suggested loudly he gets of the pavement. As expected, it was met with a torrent of abuse.
The police have truly lose control of our streets.