A dedicated operation cracking down on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and associated criminality in Nottingham city centre has seen more than 60 vehicles seized to date.
Numerous offenders have been sentenced over recent months, with some having to pay over £1,000 and receiving eight points on their driving licence, since officers on the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team launched a crackdown on illegal riding, called Operation Wrangel, after members of the public voiced their frustration at how fast riders were travelling in pedestrianised areas.
The operation was launched in November and is particularly targeting illegal e-bikes, as feedback from the public suggests they are the biggest two-wheeled nuisance.
Under UK law, e-bikes must comply with UK Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC) regulations, including a 15.5 mph speed limit and a motor power of no more than 250 W.
Non-compliant models are classified as motor vehicles, requiring insurance, taxation and a valid licence.
Officers are now using a compact dynamometer to test the top speed of e-bikes in order to catch those failing to comply with the law.
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To date, more than 100 two-wheeled vehicles have been assessed using this portable device, with fewer than a quarter of these vehicles being legally compliant.
Among our many seizures in the city centre was an e-bike that was found to reach a speed of 72 mph during testing. This vehicle was seized by our local neighbourhood inspector.
As part of our operation, officers are using a mixture of enforcement, engagement and education to help keep riders and members of the public safe.
More than 80 education packs have been distributed as part of the operation so far, and warning letters have been issued to riders where appropriate.
Road safety and crime prevention advice have also been given. This proactive engagement has included high-visibility tabards being handed out to riders with legal bikes, advice on free bike-marking schemes to deter theft, and advice on bike servicing and maintenance.
Our ongoing clampdown on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters, and the crime associated with them, also supports Operation Reclaim, a multi-agency approach to make the city centre safer by dealing with major issues affecting law-abiding members of the public.
PC Ben King, of Operation Wrangel, also undertook a Young Rider Day last month in support of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Motorcycle Safety Campaign (1–14 June), handing out free high-visibility vests and ‘Think Bike’ snoods as part of the event.
He said: “Operation Wrangel is an ongoing, long-term problem management plan for the city centre.
“Our number of bike seizures and compliance checks carried out to date, as well as our other enforcement and education provided to riders, shows how committed we are to tackling this issue head-on and making our streets safer.
“We’re also seeing how unsafe some of these vehicles can be when used illegally on public roads.
“One seizure made by the inspector involved an e-bike capable of reaching a speed of 72 mph. A vehicle like that, when ridden recklessly on our roads, could seriously injure or even kill someone.”
He added: “We urge anyone using or considering purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter to familiarise themselves with the law and ensure their vehicle is road legal.
“Operation Wrangel is already having a positive impact, and hopefully the outcomes we’re achieving will deter others from riding illegally in the city centre.
“The operation will carry on running, and further days of action are planned as we continue to do whatever we can to protect the public.”
A recent example of our ongoing work to tackle antisocial behaviour and drug dealing in Nottingham led to the seizure of two Sur-Ron electric bikes, along with a discarded bundle of drugs.
Drug dealer T’arnrie Simpson tried to evade officers by riding off on one of the bikes towards Peel Street, but he collided with a hedge.
He then made a run for it but was caught and arrested after a brief foot chase on 30 April.
The 23-year-old, of Nottingham, went on to plead guilty to a charge of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, namely cocaine.
He was jailed for three years and nine months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on 29 May.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “The crackdown on illegal e-scooters and e-bikes in the city centre has been really successful and demonstrates how the neighbourhood policing team is taking local people’s concerns very seriously and acting on them.
“It should leave people in no doubt that the police are doing their utmost to make the city centre a safer place for everyone who lives, works or visits there.
“Both the force and my office have also been supporting this operational action by running an e-bike and e-scooter education and awareness campaign to prevent people from falling foul of the law.
“Other neighbourhood policing teams across the wider city and county are also tackling this issue in areas where problems are reported to the police.
“I would urge anyone affected by this issue to contact their local neighbourhood team so they have the full information needed to deal with it as part of their community problem-solving plans.”
