West Mercia Police has seized 14 e-scooters and an e-bike in Shrewsbury town centre after reports of dangerous riding. Patrols continue through half-term.

Police in Shrewsbury have seized 14 illegal e-scooters and one electric bike during patrols aimed at anti-social riding in the town centre.

The patrols will carry on through the half-term holiday. Anyone riding a privately owned e-scooter in a public place risks having it taken.

What the police have said

West Mercia Police set out the figures in a statement on its own website. It says:

  • officers acted after an increase in reports of e-scooters being ridden dangerously in the town
  • they have been working with the Town Rangers, Team Shrewsbury and youth workers
  • 14 e-scooters and one electric bike have been seized so far
  • patrols in the town centre continue during half-term

The force did not say whether anyone has been prosecuted. Its statement reports seizures only.

Inspector Ingrid Tozer leads Shrewsbury’s Safer Neighbourhood Team. She said: “Following concerns from the community about e-scooters being ridden dangerously and causing anti-social behaviour in Shrewsbury town centre, we have been carrying out targeted patrols and working closely with our partners to address the issue.”

She added that riding an e-scooter in a public place without the right insurance is illegal, and “can pose a risk to pedestrians and other road users if used irresponsibly”. The force will “continue to take action where offences are identified”, she said.

The law in Shropshire

Shops can sell e-scooters, but owning one does not make it legal to ride. The force says a privately owned e-scooter cannot be used on:

  • public roads
  • pavements
  • cycle lanes
  • pedestrian-only areas

The only exception is an e-scooter hired through an approved Government rental scheme. West Mercia Police says there is currently no legal rental scheme anywhere in Shropshire. In practice, that means a private e-scooter cannot legally be ridden in any public place in the county.

What it means for you

  • If your child has an e-scooter, the police are asking parents and carers to make sure they understand the law and to talk to young people about riding safely. A scooter ridden in the town centre this half-term can be seized.
  • To report dangerous riding, contact West Mercia Police on 101 or through its website. In an emergency, call 999.

The risk is not only to pedestrians. Earlier this month West Mercia Police appealed for witnesses after an 11-year-old boy riding an e-scooter was hurt in a collision with a car. It happened on the Monkmoor Road roundabout in Shrewsbury on 12 October. The force said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

For other travel disruption in the county, see our Shropshire roadworks and travel page.