Drop e-scooters from wish list, urge police

THEY might be on many Christmas wish lists this year, but people who buy private e-scooters are being warned they could be wasting their money because they cannot be ridden legally on roads or pavements.

Police in London have accused retailers of exploiting customers by selling machines without making them fully aware of the restrictions around their use. Private e-scooters can be used lawfully only on private land, with users facing fines, points on their licence and even seizure if they take them on public roads or pavements.

The Metropolitan Police, which seized more than 3,600 e-scooters this year, has partnered with Transport for London in writing to dealers urging them not to “exploit” their customers in the run-up to Christmas.

Commander Kyle Gordon, the Met’s head of roads policing, said: “We know some people may be unfamiliar with the rules around e-scooters and this is something we are working hard with partners to address.

“It is really unhelpful that retailers, fully aware of the risks they are creating for the public, continue to profit from selling machines illegal for use on public roads without sufficient explanation and guidance.”