ESSEX Police has launched an initiative aimed at owners and riders of privately-owned e-scooters used in public areas.

The force says its overarching aim is to keep everyone safe on regional roads and footpaths, adding: "We want to educate owners and riders of privately owned e-scooters about the current legislation and, where necessary, take enforcement action especially where there is evidence of anti-social behaviour, other riding offences or wider criminality.

"We must ensure those using privately-owned e-scooters do not pose a risk to the public or themselves due to their presence on public highways and pavements.

"The use of privately-owned e-scooters in any public place is illegal.

"By educating riders and encouraging them not to use privately-owned e-scooters in a public area, we hope that the number of e-scooters being used illegally, and any perceived anti-social behaviour, will be reduced.

"We recognise that a number of these scooters will be owned and ridden by young people, so we have taken the opportunity to write to schools advising parents of our plans. We're not trying to criminalise anyone, but please ensure you know the rules before buying your child an e-scooter.

"Superintendent Sam Smith, who is leading the initiative, said: "We have written to schools recently and asked them to raise awareness with parents about the laws surrounding private e-scooters.

"Private e-scooters are permitted in law only to be used on private land, and are illegal if used on public land and we need to raise awareness of this legislation for everyone's safety.

"We're not trying to target young people, but we need them to know that there are aspects to riding an e-scooter that could put them, or the wider public, at risk if the e-scooter is being ridden in a dangerous manner.

"Privately owned e-scooters cannot be insured as they are not roadworthy and, therefore, they present a danger to the rider and the rest of the public.

"In the next few weeks, when we stop and speak to any young person riding a privately-owned e-scooter, we will speak to their parents to raise awareness of the law."

Supt Smith went on to say: "We are aware that e-scooters are also used by adults who use them as a means of leisure and transport, but we will stop and speak to them, too. We want to keep people safe and continue to deal with reports of e-scooters being involved in crime.

"Where there is persistent use of privately-owned e-scooters, or evidence of other offences, we will take appropriate enforcement action. This includes e-scooter seizure and riders being reported for driving offences."

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Anyone who wants to know more about e-scooter legislation and official trials of e-scooters should click here.