Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle under-16s illegally riding e-scooters and e-bikes.

The Government takes the illegal and anti-social use of e-scooters and e-bikes seriously, including by those aged under 16.

Privately owned e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles and are illegal to use on public roads, pavements and other public places. Police have powers to seize vehicles being used unlawfully and to take enforcement action where road traffic offences are committed.

The Government has strengthened the powers available to the police to tackle anti-social behaviour involving vehicles, including e-scooters and e-bikes.

Section 8 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, removed the requirement for a prior warning before police can seize a vehicle being used anti-socially under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. This makes it easier and quicker for police to seize vehicles being used anti-socially, supporting more immediate action against off-road bikes, dangerous e-scooters and other vehicles being used unlawfully or irresponsibly. The Government also reduced vehicle disposal timeframes to seven days in July 2026, helping to prevent offenders, including those under 16, to reclaim their vehicles and continue to cause nuisance.

Forces are encouraged to work with local authorities and communities to identify local solutions to persistent problems, including those involving off-road bikes and motorcycles.

Under the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, every neighbourhood has named, and contactable officers dedicated to addressing crime and anti-social behaviour in the local area.

The Home Office works closely with policing partners to ensure they have the powers they need to carry out effective enforcement, while the Department for Transport continues to lead on the legal framework for e-scooters and e-bikes and public awareness of the rules governing their use.