Community police in Cornwall faced mixed reaction on social media when they shared how they had seized an electric scooter from a teenager in Truro and their intention to destroy it.
The post was shared yesterday (January 13) on the Facebook page for Truro, Perranporth, and Tregony Police, and read: “At 1500 hours on Monday 13th January 2025, PC WILSON seized an electric scooter being ridden in Truro City centre by a 16-year-old.
“We would like to remind everyone that it is illegal to ride scooters anywhere other than private land. It could also land you with a £200 fine and 6 points on your licence. The scooter has been seized and will be sent for destruction.”
However, not everyone agreed with the confiscation of the e-scooter, while some quipped about how police time was being spent.
One person commented on the Facebook post: “The other criminals were having a day off.”, while another joked: “PC Wilson was later seen riding it at Lidl car park whilst downing a can of Monster.”
A third flippantly wrote: “I’m so glad you caught them! Imagine the fun they could’ve endured had you not intervened? What an absolute menace to society! Hopefully the public can continue as ‘normal’ having narrowly averted this catastrophic disaster of a scooter.”
Meanwhile, other comments included: “Ruined some kid’s Christmas present then. Thanks so much.”, as well as: “Confiscating children’s toys doesn’t make me feel safer.”
The Road Traffic Act 1988 classes e-scooters as motor vehicles, meaning the same rules apply when it comes to needing a licence and insurance. It is against the law to use a privately owned e-scooter on public land, and you could face a fine, get penalty points on your licence, or the scooter could be impounded.
Some areas around the UK are trialling e-scooter rentals, in which case these vehicles can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and in other public spaces. However, no parts of Devon or Cornwall are currently included in these trials.