Local Priorities E-Scooters Message

Local Priorities E-Scooters Message

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding E-Scooters, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

An internal audit has been conducted in relation to Operation Scootherts.

Operation Scootherts is the county-wide operation led by Stevenage Neighbourhood Policing team, tackling the illegal use of E-scooters and illegally modified E-bikes. As of 25/08/2026, the operation has seized 228 E-scooters and E-bikes under the operation. Every seizure has resulted in the vehicles being crushed, drivers being reported and receiving points and fines. Offences that officers have dealt with regarding E-scooters and E-bikes include but are not limited too;
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without a licence
- Failure to stop
- Driving whilst over the prescribed limit of alcohol
- Using a mobile phone whilst driving

We consistently receive complaints about the use of E-scooters and E-bikes in the town, particularly around anti-social and dangerous use in the town centre. The situation remains, that it is illegal to use E-scooters and E-bikes in Stevenage at this time, unless you are using them on private land with the landowners’ permission.

The average fines have been ranging from £300 to over £1,000 with the majority of drivers having their licences revoked at court for the matter as the average amount of points received for riding an E-scooters is 6-9 points.

If you are a parent letting your child ride one in public, you will be the one found responsible and in turn, this could affect your own driving licence.

Operation Scootherts will continue for the foreseeable with more seizures, and more prosecutions expected.

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of 'powered transporters'. This covers a range of personal transport devices that are powered by a motor.

E-scooters and unregistered e-motorbikes are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.

It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.

If you use a privately-owned e-scooter in public, you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance. 

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter/e-motorbike, the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

If you own an e-scooter, you can only use it in on private land, such as in a garden. But you must have the permission of the landowner to do so.

You can rent e-scooters in some parts of the UK through e-scooter rental trial but Hertfordshire does not have any such schemes in place.

If you breach the rules when using an e-scooter/e-motorbike you could face a fixed penalty notice, the seizure of your e-scooter/e-motorbike and its disposal.

If you see someone using an e-scooter please report by ringing 101 (999 in an emergency) or through the online reporting portal at Contact us | Hertfordshire Constabulary

Tackling antisocial behaviour such as riding e-scooters can be a complex issue, and one which requires input and action from more than just the police. Local officers simply do not have the resources to be present to deal with all reports of e-scooter riding.