Ealing Police Clamp Down On Illegal E-scooters


Three machines seized and seven warnings issued during Operation Rider

Police in Ealing tackle illegal e-scooter use
Police in Ealing tackle illegal e-scooter use. Picture: Met Police

An operation targeting people illegally riding e-scooters in Ealing Borough took place recently.

Led by dedicated ward officer PC Simeon Simeonov, and involving safer neighbourhood teams from Hanger Hill, Southfield, East Acton and MO8 Roads & Transport, Operation Rider was set up to reduce the incidents involving e-scooters and motorbikes riding dangerously and breaking the law.

Patrols were conducted around several different locations on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 May. During the Operation the team engaged with members of the public in parks and busy streets in order to educate them about the current law about e-scooters and provided them leaflets outlining the offences they can commit if they are riding in public places.

During the operation 3 e-scooters were seized with riders reported for the offences they committed and 7 warnings issued to riders about the proper use of their scooters.

As well as e-scooters, there were 22 mopeds stopped with checks carried out ensuring all was in order. A number of searches were also conducted which resulted in drugs being seized and taken off the streets.

Both e-scooters and Motorbikes are a popular choice among criminals when they commit robberies, drug deliveries and other violent crime such as weapon deliveries.

A 12-month trial of e-scooter rentals in London will begin in Ealing Borough on 7 June. Only scooters hired through approved schemes will be allowed on roads in the borough.

PC Simeonov, Dedicated Ward Officer said, “I organised Op Rider as a local operation to tie in with the met-wide Op Hornet operation targeting E-scooters. Officers engaged with members of the public and educated them about the law regarding e-Scooter also provided leaflets and issued Op Hornet warning to riders when possible. Several e-Scooters had to be seized from members of the public and number of motorbike stops were also conducted. During Op Rider several people were reported for traffic offences and there were two drug seizures after positive Stop and Searches following stops on e-scooters and motorbikes. This shows that E-scooters and motorbikes are linked to crime such as drug and weapon deliveries“.

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June 2, 2021