Derbyshire Constabulary has moved to a ‘seize first’ position on e-scooters, with officers no longer required to issue an initial warning at the time of a first offence. The change in policy has resulted in over 200 scooters being taken in the last two months.

While a blanket ban on riding e-scooters on UK roads and cycle lanes was lifted in July 2020 to allow for trials of rented scooters covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy, the use of privately-owned e-scooters remains illegal.

They are set to be legalised - but that isn’t the case yet with decisions on the necessary legislation having repeatedly been pushed back.

In November, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said that legislation was "clearly required" and that it was, “not good enough that it’s been left in this situation for too long."

However, she also said: “We’ve not got parliamentary time in this session or a relevant Bill that could be used to regulate e-scooters, but we will look to legislate, absolutely.”

Despite the situation, selling e-scooters is not actually illegal. Even Halfords has released one, using the 2021 launch as an opportunity to call for the vehicles to be made road legal.

Even more bizarrely, the Government has issued guidance on how to buy one.

Given that public misunderstanding of e-scooters’ legal status has consequently been widespread, police have tended to prioritise raising awareness over enforcement when stopping people.

Even Hampshire Police, who launched “Operation Crush” this time last year, emphasised that their overall policy remained to educate first. They said the tougher tactic would target those illegally using e-scooters to commit crimes; those persistently involved in anti-social behaviour; and those putting themselves or other road users at risk of injury.

In contrast, November saw Derbyshire Constabulary announce that it was moving to a ‘seize first’ policy with PCSOs also given the power to confiscate e-scooters.

That month brought 99 seizures, followed by another 106 in December.

Superintendent James Thompson said: “This new approach has had a successful first two months, we want to make sure that the message gets out there to prevent innocent buyers from being left out of pocket and make it clear that those using our roads and pavements illegally will face consequences.

“Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams will continue to proactively work to seize e-scooters – as well as making sure our communities are aware of the law.”