E-scooter seized in Blackfield after youngsters flout two police warnings

POLICE seized an e-scooter from two youngsters in Blackfield after they failed to heed warnings against riding it.

Officers took action on Thursday 3rd August, a week after Waterside PCSOs first cautioned the 15-year-old boys from the New Forest on spotting them in Holbury.

Just minutes earlier they were seen the second time and told the scooter would be seized if caught again.

A local police Facebook post said: “Five minutes later the males were spotted again riding onto the pavement to avoid a red light before popping back out onto the road.

“At that point all the chances had been used up and the males were stopped, e-scooter seized and Section 59 warnings given to both males.

“This was both as a consequence of ignoring police instructions but also for their own safety.”

Section 59 warnings can be issued to a vehicle, driver or both to combat antisocial driving of motor vehicles.

Once issued to a driver, any vehicle they then use antisocially can be immediately seized.

Vehicles issued with the warning can also be seized immediately whenever used antisocially, regardless of who is driving.

The police Facebook post continued: “E-Scooters are recognised as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act and therefore the same requirements apply when using one, ie: licence and insurance.

“If you are using an e-scooter without either licence or insurance then you are committing traffic offences and may be stopped, given a ticket or have the scooter seized.

“Our primary goal is to educate people in regards to the offences involved when using e-scooters, however, if the advice/instructions of a police officer are not listened to, then consequences do follow and we will seize e-scooters.”