Crackdown continues in Southend city centre as 20 illegal e-scooters and e-bikes seized

Police in Southend have seized another 20 illegal e-scooters and modified e-bikes in the past month as part of an ongoing enforcement drive targeting unsafe and unlawful riding in the city centre.

The action is part of Operation Circuit, a dedicated deployment by Southend’s Town Centre Team, combining both foot and cycle patrols. Officers are focusing on public areas including pavements, parks, roads, and shopping zones where the use of such vehicles is illegal.

The crackdown follows a force-wide warning from Essex Police that riders of illegal e-scooters and modified e-bikes face having their vehicles seized without exception. A spokesperson for Southend Police said:

“These eScooters and illegally modified eBikes are not allowed to be used in public spaces or on our roads and they are inherently dangerous to the rider and other members of the public. All of the eBikes seized were capable of speeds far exceeding 30kph without the need to pedal, rendering them effectively equivalent to motorbikes.”

Privately owned e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means they require a driving licence and insurance to be used legally on public roads. However, because insurance is not currently available for privately owned e-scooters, it is illegal to ride them on roads, pavements, parks or other public spaces.

Modified e-bikes – often used by food delivery riders – are also coming under scrutiny. Southend resident Demi Harding shared a personal account highlighting the dangers:

“If only people would listen. My autistic 6-year-old has been physically knocked over by a grown woman on an e-scooter. Leaving him screaming in pain with huge bruises on his ankle from the collision. Outside his school gate… where he should be safe.”

The Town Centre Policing Team say their patrols and enforcement will continue alongside their daily policing work.

What are the rules for riding e-scooters?

E-scooters fall under the category of ‘powered transporters’. They are treated as motor vehicles and must comply with the same rules — including insurance and licensing. Without these, riding them in public is illegal.

Use of privately owned e-scooters is currently only legal on private land, with the landowner’s permission. Those caught riding illegally can face significant penalties, including:

• £300 fine and six points for no insurance
• £100 fine and penalty points for not having the correct licence
• £50 fine for riding on pavements
• £200 fine and six points for using a phone while riding
• £100 fine for running red lights
• Court action, driving bans, or imprisonment for drink-driving

Additionally, police can seize e-scooters used in an antisocial manner under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.

Southend Police say Operation Circuit will remain active, aiming to keep streets safer for all residents, particularly in busy pedestrian and school areas.