Calne Police have issued formal warning notices to youths seen to be riding e-scooters around town.
In August last year, police issued several warnings following a rise in complaints about youths riding the e-scooters .
Since the start of January, Calne Police say they have now issued six formal warning notices.
PCSO Mark Cook commented: “We have been targeting this issue after concerns were raised to us by members of the community.
“Worryingly, these youths have all been aged between 13 and 15 years old.
“The riders stopped have been advised should they continue to use an e-scooter it will be seized, and they could face being reported for any relevant offences."
At the moment e-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), so they're treated as motor vehicles and are subject to all the same legal requirements - MOT, tax, licensing and specific construction. So, because they don't always have visible rear red lights, number plates or signalling ability, they can't be used legally on the roads.
The law covering e-bikes - which are battery-assisted pedal cycles - doesn't currently cover e-scooters, but the government wants to regulate them in a similar way in future. Currently, you can buy one but you can't ride it on a UK public road, cycle lane or pavement.
Anyone who does is committing an offence.
The only place an e-scooter can be used is on private land, with the permission of the landowner. An exception of this rule are the rentable E-Scooters in places such as Bristol or Bath. These are legal due to them requiring a licence to be used and they are also insured by the company.
PCSO Mark Cook added: "As part of the National Neighbourhood week of action our focus remains that we will be using a problem solving approach, intervention and engagement with riders to making them aware of the law regarding e-scooters. Offenders who knowingly and persistently break the law will be dealt with appropriately, whereby the e-scooter will be seized and the rider will be reported for any offences."
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