Commissioner renews call to end police e-vehicle resales as Government acts on e-scooters

Commissioner renews call to end police e-vehicle resales as Government acts on e-scooters

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has renewed calls for police forces to stop reselling seized e-bikes and e-scooters, amid concerns they could return to the hands of criminals. He also welcomed Government plans to regulate e-scooters, an issue he has campaigned on for almost two years.

Commissioner Grunshaw has lobbied Government, alongside partners in Lancashire and colleagues across the country, for stronger action to tackle the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and off-road bikes, following concerns repeatedly raised by the public.

He wrote to then Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson MP in October 2024 calling for stronger legislation on e-bikes and e-scooters. In response, the Minister said the Government would “give police the powers they need to tackle the dangerous and antisocial use of e-vehicles off the streets for good”, including powers to quickly destroy vehicles seized from offenders.

This led to measures in the Crime and Policing Bill, now the Crime and Policing Act, making it easier for officers to seize illegally used vehicles. At the same time, Commissioner Grunshaw backed Lancashire Constabulary’s response locally by funding a new fleet of specialist on and off-road motorcycles to help tackle the issue. More than 1,100 vehicles were seized by the Constabulary in a 12-month period, and all crushed.

As seizures increase, Commissioner Grunshaw has pushed to ensure illegally used e-vehicles taken off the streets cannot simply return to communities. Earlier this year, he visited a local recycling centre to see seized vehicles being destroyed.

He has urged police forces nationally to follow Lancashire Constabulary’s lead and stop selling seized e-bikes and e-scooters, after BBC figures revealed some forces are still selling them at auction.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:

“The illegal use of bikes, quads and e-scooters has been one of the main issues raised with me by the public since my return as Commissioner two years ago.

“It’s vital that any police force still selling seized e-bikes and e-scooters stops doing so and commits to having them crushed. This sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate their illegal use and ensures vehicles removed from our streets cannot simply return to our communities.

“I also welcome indications that the Government plans to go further in tackling the illegal use of e-scooters and similar vehicles, helping to keep people safe and providing greater clarity over where and when they can be used.

“We continue to see the consequences of their illegal use, including serious injuries and, tragically, fatalities here in Lancashire. Clearer rules and effective enforcement are crucial to tackling this problem and protecting the public.

“Through Operation Centurion, I will continue to work closely with Lancashire Constabulary to tackle anti-social behaviour, with more than 1,100 vehicles seized in just 12 months.

“As the public’s voice in policing, I will continue pushing for legislation that helps tackle the issues that matter most to people and ensures police have the powers they need to keep our communities safe.”