Police warning over illegal e-scooters in town centre

Plus: Busy road 'eroding' as works continue

Good morning, readers, and welcome to your Monday briefing from Ashfield News. In today’s edition, a warning over e-scooters in a town centre, plans for empty homes and much more.

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E-scooter warning in town centre

Police in a Nottinghamshire town have warned they will take action against e-scooters being ridden illegally.

Officials at Nottinghamshire Police’s beat team in Kirkby-in-Ashfield say the force is aware of “ongoing anti-social behaviour” in the town centre linked to e-scooters.

It is illegal to ride privately-owned scooters in public in the UK.

Police have the power to seize scooters and issue a fixed penalty notice, points on a driver’s licence and fines.

On March 6, the team seized two scooters being used in the town as the riders had no insurance.

A spokesperson said: “We hope this sends a clearly message that this anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our community.”

The move comes after police seized an e-scooter which was being ridden at “unsafe speeds” along roads and pedestrian areas in Mansfield.

The seizure in the Ravensdale area on Wednesday, March 5, came amid a crackdown on illegal e-scooter use in the town following reports of anti-social behaviour related to the vehicles.

Unregulated scooters can reach high speeds, Nottinghamshire Police said, and are illegal to use on public roads unless part of an official scheme.

A spokesperson said: “Unregulated e-scooters cannot be insured and therefore if they were to hit a person or vehicle the victim would have limited recourse to seek compensation and repairs for such an incident.

“As of now e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles in legislation, they therefore have all the requirements that a traditional motor vehicle would have such as insurance, registration and a valid driver’s licence.

“If stopped riding one, offenders could face a roadside fine of 9 penalty points and a £400 fine, and higher if prosecuted to court.

“This penalty applies even to those who do not yet hold a driver’s licence.

“Attached is an image of another e-scooter seized by officers in recent weeks.”

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Roadworks as busy route “eroded”

Motorists have been warned restrictions on a busy country road are likely to continue for the forseeable future.