Officers across Derbyshire have seized more than 1,000 e-scooters since they began a ‘seize first’ approach in November 2024.
Some of the most shocking seizures encountered include an e-scooter capable of reaching 50mph ridden by a 12-year-old, a model fitted with mini handlebars for a four-year-old passenger, and a parent who received points on her licence after repeatedly allowing her child to ride on a busy road.
Privately owned e-scooters cannot legally be used on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes. They can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
The change to how the force seize e-scooters was launched in response to increasing concerns from the public about the illegal and unsafe use of e-scooters on public roads and pavements in Derbyshire.
Police say that they have also seen a reduction in the number of collisions with e-scooters reported in the county since the new approach began; in 2024 they saw eight e-scooter collisions which caused serious injuries, however across 2025 and 2026 so far, none were reported.
The initiative focuses on educating and preventing people from buying the vehicles, as well as seizing e-scooters being used illegally. The seized e-scooters are then crushed and recycled.
Inspector Lee Welsby from the Roads Policing team said: “Seizing more than 1,000 e-scooters demonstrates the scale of the issue, and the work our officers are doing to tackle it.
“Our priority is keeping people safe, as an e-scooter at low speeds could still cause serious injuries for a pedestrian or the rider in the event of a collision. However, some of the examples we’ve seen have been shocking – a child falling off an e-scooter travelling at 40mph doesn’t bear thinking about.
“As Christmas approaches, please ensure that you understand the rules before buying an e-scooter and save yourself the time, money and stress of having one seized.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “Derbyshire Constabulary has worked relentlessly to tackle the illegal use of e-scooters, carrying out targeted enforcement in hotspots across the county. This has removed more than 1,000 e-scooters from our streets in under two years, sending a clear message that unlawful use will not be tolerated.
“I would urge any individual, parent or carer to think carefully before buying an e-scooter. Unless it can be used legally on private land with the landowner’s permission, it is simply not worth the risk.
“E-scooters have been linked to fatal and serious collisions across Great Britain, with riders, pedestrians and other road users all put at risk. These vehicles are not toys.
“Enforcement will continue and anyone caught riding illegally can expect their e-scooter to be seized and destroyed. Avoid the cost, the penalty points, a court appearance, or worse, a life-changing injury, by leaving e-scooters off the shopping list.”
