Delivery rider's bike seized in Crawley as police operation tackles illegal e-bikes and e-scooters
A delivery rider's bike was seized in Crawley town centre, as Sussex Police launched a new operation.
Sussex World was invited to watch Operation Scramble in action, on Wednesday evening (September 16), as officers targeted the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
The patrols were aimed at tackling dangerous and antisocial riding.
Footage, captured by this newspaper, shows the moment officers seized a delivery rider's bike in the town centre. He was told that the modified bike ‘does not confirm to regulations’.
One officer added: “Technically it’s a motorcycle and not a bike. Therefore you have to have insurance and an MOT.
"You’re being propelled purely by the throttle – you don’t need pedals. It will come with us, it’s being seized.”
Superintendent Jo Grantham – head of roads policing for Surrey Police and Sussex Police – said the operation had been launched in response to concerns raised by residents.
“We've been getting quite a lot of reports from residents across Sussex who are really concerned about the illegal and irresponsible use of e-scooters and e-bikes,” she said.
“And in response to that, we've launched this plan, Op Scramble, today, where we'll be out and committed to tackling criminality, dangerous and antisocial use of those vehicles, e-scooters, e-bikes in particular.”
The operation involves neighbourhood policing teams, working alongside roads policing and fatal five officers to identify offences, seize illegal vehicles and take action against riders who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Superintendent Grantham said the operation had been developed in response to growing contact from members of the public.
“We know that our communities are really worried about the impact of the illegal use of these vehicles in their communities,” she said.
“And we've decided that we will take action against that, which will be an enforcement operation.
“We'll be out stepping up our patrols, identifying and dealing with offences and seizing any illegal vehicles, as well as taking action on those people that we see posing a risk to themselves or others through their riding.”
However, she stressed that the operation would also involve educating young people about the risks associated with illegal riding.
The force's figures show that just over half of riders identified in connection with reports were aged 25 or below, while more than a third were teenagers or children.
Supt Grantham said officers would work with parents, schools, colleges and local communities to try to prevent offences from happening.
“It will be about education,” she said.
“Our team's plan is to work with young people, because in our statistics, we can see that there's a higher proportion of people using these vehicles that are 25 and under, and also engaging with parents and guardians, schools, colleges, communities, to try to prevent that from happening in the first instance.”
She said illegal and dangerous riding was also a road safety concern, with riders putting themselves and other members of the public at risk.
“We're seeing people that are driving dangerously, we're seeing people that are not adhering to the rules of the roads,” she said.
“They're putting themselves at risk, putting other people at risk, putting pedestrians at risk, by going onto the pavement and up along alleyways, is the information that we have.
“We're out to try to prevent any serious injury, or for anyone being killed, whether that's the rider, or whether that is other people that happen to be around them at the time that they're doing that activity.”
Supt Grantham also urged residents to report dangerous or illegal riding to the force.
“We'd like to ask you that if you witness any dangerous or illegal riding in your community that you please contact us and share that information,” she said.
“Your information will help us to target activity where it is needed the most.”
Sussex Police launched Operation Scramble after recording a 53.7 per cent increase, in reports of illegal e-bike and e-scooter use, in the 12 months to June 2026.
The force received 2,504 reports during that period, compared with 1,629 in the previous 12 months.
Officers recorded 321 e-bike and e-scooter seizures between January and July 2026.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she had heard from residents across Sussex who were concerned about dangerous and antisocial riding.
She said: “I've heard from many residents across Sussex who are fed up with the dangerous and antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters. Time and again, people tell me they are concerned about riders speeding through pedestrian areas, putting people and other road users at risk and, in some cases, using these vehicles to facilitate criminal activity.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe in their neighbourhoods, town centres and public spaces. I have been clear with Sussex Police that enough is enough. This operation shows they are listening and taking robust action to keep our communities safe.
"I also hope that anyone, especially our young people, using e-bikes and e-scooters illegally understand the very real risks involved. These vehicles can cause serious injury, not only to the rider but also to other members of the public."
Mrs Bourne said choosing to ride illegally ‘could also have serious consequences for their future’, including contact with the criminal justice system ‘before a young person is even old enough to drive’.
She added: "I fully support Operation Scramble and the proactive action Sussex Police is taking to tackle this growing issue. The significant increase in reports shows just how much of a concern this has become for local people.
“I would encourage anyone witnessing illegal or dangerous riding to continue reporting it to Sussex Police. Public information and intelligence is vital in helping officers identify offenders so they can then take action and I will continue to ensure residents' concerns are heard at the highest levels of policing.”
Residents can find out more about the rules surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters on the Sussex Police website: https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/