Police warning about e-scooters amid concerns over their illegal use in Chesterfield
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In recent weeks, the Derbyshire Times has been contacted by a number of people concerned about e-scooters being used in public areas – which is against the law.
One resident said in a letter: “Living in the Saltergate area of Chesterfield, close to the town centre, I am getting increasingly concerned over the growing number of e-scooters on public pavements.
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Hide Ad“Sheffield Road, which has a very narrow public footpath, is one particular area where e-scooters are regularly ridden.
“I also saw two very young boys both on an e-scooter riding across the central car park over Christmas.
“More and more young people are illegally riding these scooters on our public pavements.”
Another resident told the Derbyshire Times: “They (e-scooters) are dangerous and put many residents at risk using our public pavements and areas.
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Hide Ad“A strong stance against the illegal use is required before an accident happens.”
They questioned what authorities, including the police, were doing to tackle the problem.
A Derbyshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “Officers locally in the Chesterfield area have not seen a noticeable increase in the use and reporting of incidents involving e-scooters but has been an increase in other parts of Derbyshire and across the country as a whole.
“While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it’s currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK.
“This includes roads, pavements, parks and town centres.
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Hide Ad“The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.
“If it is used on a public road then the rider runs the risk of having their scooter seized and being prosecuted for offences like driving without a licence and insurance, dangerous driving and, if they are drunk, for drink driving.
“We will take appropriate action in line with this legislation,” the spokesperson added.
E-scooters were a popular gift last Christmas.
Information about e-scooters, along with other forms of transport which are currently banned from public use, can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/powered-transporters