Police in Kingsbridge seized an illegal e-scooter last weekend as part of an operation to keep the roads safe. 

The police operation took place on Saturday, August 15, and a total of 15 vehicles were stopped.

Six drivers were given breathalyser tests, and one was subject to a check for drug driving.

PC Sam McGregor, from the Kingsbridge and Rural Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “The operation was a good positive engagement event, and we had support from colleagues in our Roads Policing Unit. We are pleased to confirm that no drivers were found to be over the drink or drug drive limit and no arrests took place.

“We seized an illegal e-scooter during the operation this weekend. We’d like to remind local people that privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.”

It is not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.

If you use a privately owned e-scooter in public, you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance. 

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter/e-motorbike, the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

You can rent e-scooters in some parts of the UK, including Plymouth, through e-scooter rental trials.

Where a rental trial scheme is running, rental e-scooters can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and other public spaces. But you must follow the relevant road traffic laws. If you don’t, you could face prosecution.

Officers also dealt with an abandoned vehicle causing an obstruction, and advice was given to some motorists for minor traffic offences such as driving vehicles with lights not working.

For more guidance on e-scooters, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.