Police seize hundreds of illegal e‑scooters across South and Mid Wales
Rising seizures in South Wales and Dyfed‑Powys
Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that South Wales Police have confiscated 272 e‑scooters since 2022, while Dyfed‑Powys Police have seized 99 over the same period. Officers say the vehicles are being taken off the streets for a range of reasons — from being uninsured under the Road Traffic Act, to being used in drug offences, assaults and thefts.
In South Wales, seizures peaked at 90 in 2023, with another 81 taken in 2024 and 43 already removed in the first half of 2025. Dyfed‑Powys recorded 37 seizures in 2022/23, 19 in 2023/24, and 43 in 2024/25.
Both forces stress that the figures are not just about nuisance riding. In Swansea, three drug dealers were jailed after being stopped on an e‑scooter, while in Milford Haven a crash involving a scooter led police to uncover a £15,000 drug stash.
Collisions and safety concerns
South Wales Police also confirmed that e‑scooters were involved in five road traffic collisions between 2022 and 2024 – three in Swansea and two in Cardiff. Because private e‑scooters cannot be insured, riders involved in crashes face the same consequences as uninsured drivers, including fines, penalty points and liability for compensation.
Nationally, government figures show that 416 people were seriously injured in e‑scooter collisions in 2023. Fire services have also raised alarms over battery safety, after an e‑bike battery exploded in Port Tennant, sparking an early‑morning blaze.
Police powers and crackdowns
To tackle the problem, police have been given new powers to crush seized e‑scooters and off‑road bikes within 48 hours if they are used antisocially. South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools said the vehicles are often linked to organised crime and serious violence, and swift disposal sends a clear message.
In Swansea city centre, Operation Lathyrus saw officers seize 17 e‑bikes and make seven arrests in a single day, with police warning that more than 30% of bikes stopped were illegal or dangerously modified.
Debate over regulation
While enforcement has intensified, the debate over e‑scooter safety continues. A RoSPA study found that e‑scooters had a collision rate five times lower than bicycles and nine times lower than motorcycles — but most incidents occurred in areas without regulated rental schemes, suggesting that illegal private use is far riskier.
Police and trading standards have repeatedly warned parents not to buy e‑scooters as Christmas presents, reminding them that private models cannot legally be used on roads, pavements or cycle paths.
Government vows crackdown on unsafe e‑scooter use
The UK Government says a second national evaluation of the e‑scooter trials is under way, focusing on user and public safety, accessibility impacts, and how the vehicles could be integrated into the wider transport network.
A spokesperson said:
“The Government is giving the police stronger powers to stop vehicles being used disruptively, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing illegally owned private e‑scooters. This will allow them to deal swiftly with dangerous e‑scooters on pavements.
“New Respect Orders will give the police and local councils powers to ban persistent offenders from certain areas where they are causing harm, and failure to comply with Respect Orders will be a criminal offence.”
Ministers argue that the measures will help police act more quickly against unsafe and antisocial use, while also ensuring that lessons from the ongoing rental trials inform any future legislation.
“Behind the numbers are real risks”
Campaigners warn that the rise in seizures reflects not only tougher enforcement but also the growing number of people using e‑scooters illegally.
A spokesperson for Personal Injury Claims UK, which compiled the national data, said:
“If an e‑scooter rider causes a collision, they face the same consequences as a car driver – including liability for personal injury compensation. The figures highlight the risks for both riders and the public.”
Related articles
- Milford Haven man jailed after e-scooter crash reveals £15k drug stash
- Three Swansea drug dealers jailed after e-scooter arrest
- Police to crush e-scooters and off-road bikes used anti-socially within 48 hours
- Police seize 17 e-bikes and make seven arrests in Swansea city centre crackdown
- RoSPA study finds e-scooters five times safer than bicycles
- E-bike battery explodes during charging, sparking early morning fire in Port Tennant
- Parents warned of pitfalls of buying e-scooters this Christmas
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