E-scooters illegal to use in public areas: Evesham officers continue to educate the public

Yesterday (6 March), officers from Evesham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) were out in the community engaging with the public to raise awareness of the laws around e-scooters. 

Although you can lawfully purchase e-scooters, it is currently illegal to use them on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes and pedestrian-only areas. They can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. 

The campaign, in partnership with Wychavon Council, follows community concerns in the district where people have been seen using the electric powered vehicles on the street.  

PC Justine Lane and PC Martin Kennedy visited a local secondary school where they were able to educate both pupils and teachers about the use of e-scooters. During the session students engaged with officers, asked questions, and took on board everything discussed.  

PC Alex Prentice and PCSO Brad Sansom also attended a regular drop-in session at a local middle school where the topic of conversation was e-scooters. The officers will continue to educate children on the matter. 

The officers then moved onto local retailers that sell the electric vehicles. They spoke with store managers to ask them to remind customers of the laws and possible penalty points and fines they could receive if caught using an e-scooter on public roads or pavements. 

Evesham SNT have a good relationship with local retailers and work together to spread awareness. Officers gave them information leaflets on the laws which the stores will now give out to those interested in, and who purchase, e-scooters.  

Finishing off the day of engagement, PC Lane and PC Kennedy stationed themselves in a part of Evesham where e-scooters are being ridden.  

During the afternoon they stopped two members of the public who were riding e-scooters and spoke with another two users who were just passing on foot. The relevant information was given to these people, and words of warning issued as to what would happen if they were to be stopped for a second time in the future. 

No e-scooters were seized at this time and the users were instructed to push them for the rest of their journey. The details of those stopped with e-scooters was recorded. 

Police Sergeant Duncan Eades of Evesham SNT has emphasised they want to be as fair as possible to the public, as there is some miscommunication of information and knowledge amongst the community.  

Sergeant Duncan Eades said: “We are educating the community following concerns about the use of e-scooters on public roads which is illegal. 

“Our aim is to remind people of the laws surrounding their use and engage with people at first before we move on to enforcement, hopefully this way everyone will have the opportunity to adjust to the rules before we must police them.” 

BBC Hereford and Worcester also attended the afternoon, Sergeant Eades and his SNT hope the added exposure will help to raise further awareness of the laws before police are forced to move onto the enforcement stage.  

• Members of the public are reminded that anyone found using them in public areas risks having the e-scooter seized by the police. They could also get a £300 fine and six penalty points for driving with no insurance and a £100 fine and three penalty points for driving with no licence. 
• More information can be found at Powered transporters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

 Issued by EL, Corporate Communications