‘Seize and crush’ e-scooters, policing chief tells officers
Matthew Scott, police and crime commissioner for Kent, fears people will see the vehicles as “effectively decriminalised” in the wake of a pilot scheme in the county that finished last November, as they continue to be ridden illegally.
The number of people seriously injured by or when using e-scooters has almost doubled over the last year, up from 228 in 2021’s figures to 429 in 2022.
These things are pretty nippy so it isn't obvious how police officers are expected to seize them. Riders can easily zoom off down footpaths where pursuing police vehicles can't follow.
With so many injuries reported, we might expect the trials to be abandoned, but apparently not. Infallible planners involved I suppose.
There are 30 government trials in place across England. Local authorities in England have been given the option to continue trials until the end of May 2024, with the scooters involved maintaining a 12.5mph speed limit.
There are 30 government trials in place across England. Local authorities in England have been given the option to continue trials until the end of May 2024, with the scooters involved maintaining a 12.5mph speed limit.
11 comments:
"It isn't obvious how police officers are expected to seize them"
What's needed is some coordination between a few officers, and equip them with lengths of stout timber. A well aimed "whack" will make the seizure much easier!
But I DO hope those responsible for doing the crushing will remove the lithium batteries first...
That's clever. Introduce them, criminalise them, decriminalise them as part of a "pilot", and then recriminalise them. What did they think would happen?
And don't these kids get enough fun on the Ilkeston Flyers?
Why bother chasing them, apprehending them, charging them, taking them to court, releasing them on suspenders, repeat ad nauseam.
Plod, in their Super Duper Beamers are at a disadvantage anyway. If they leave the vehicle it might get stolen, tyres ripped or set on fire. And some yob will scoff their doughnuts.
Just let the scooterist self destruct. Either by contact with an immovable object, or by self immolation during charging.
Pedestrians should take to going forth with a stout walking stick. Swinging it as they walk.
"Just let the scooterist self destruct. Either by contact with an immovable object"
In principle I agree, however when they badly injure a pedestrian, or pile into the side of my car as I'm backing out of the drive, it no longer becomes a satisfactory solution. And while we both consider the use of "stout" sticks, as soon as a member of the public does so THEY will be the one facing the full might of the law, NOT the scooterist...
Dave - they need to be careful about where they put those removed lithium batteries too.
Sam - that seems to be the big mistake. Those official pilots will have created an impression that the things are legal.
Doonhamer - I don't think they do bother chasing them. Those I see seem unconcerned about being stopped and don't seem to pose much danger to pedestrians. Maybe crowded cities are the problem areas.
Dave - I find car drivers going too fast on streets crammed with parked cars are a bigger risk. It seems to become worse year by year.
Police already fail to prosecute cyclist who cycle at night without displaying lights, or cycle the wrong way down a one way street. Why should e-scooters be selected for greater attention?
Of course I favour setting aside one week a year when police resources are dedicated to addressing illegally ridden cycles, e-scooters and so on. I think such a program could reset the expectations quite nicely - we do have regular drink and drive purges already.
DJ - round here they don't even bother with cars parked on double yellow lines. An occasional purge on that would be quite useful as it causes a visibility problem at junctions which the lines are supposed to resolve.
"the scooters involved maintaining a 12.5mph speed limit."
Bwa ha ha ha ha
Might be fun to see the police zipping around on these things themselves, trying to catch the scrotes
"...round here they don't even bother with cars parked on double yellow lines." .
Yellow line offences were 'decriminalised' more than 20 years ago, leaving councils to employ parking wardens, as opposed to the old Traffic Wardens who were employed by the Police, and whose aim was to keep traffic flowing. The councils are happy as Larry if vehicles are parked unlawfully, as it means more money for their coffers, instead of going into government central funds, allowing that money to be p*ssed up against a wall on some inane council project or other, instead of an inane government one.
The only time the Police will get involved is if the vehicle is causing an obstruction.
Penseivat
Peter - some seem to be nearer 20mph, certainly fast enough to weave in and out of urban traffic.
Bucko - complete with flashing blue lights and sirens.
Penseivat - in the case I'm thinking of, parking on the lines does cause an obstruction but only obstructed visibility at the junction. Dangerous enough for us to avoid the junction, but parking wardens don't patrol the area.
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