Police seize e-scooters travelling wrong way down one-way street in Newhaven
Lewes Police have announced that they seized two e-scooters in Newhaven during the evening of Monday, January 12.
Lewes Police said on Facebook on Tuesday, January 13, that they saw two individuals ‘riding e-scooters dangerously’ in the High Street while on patrol.
Police said the riders were ‘travelling the wrong way down a one-way street and putting pedestrians at risk’.
The police post said: “When challenged by police, the riders shouted ‘come and get me’ and continued their dangerous behaviour. Officers quickly caught up with them where both e-scooters were seized under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.”
Lewes Police said privately owned e-scooters are illegal on roads and in public spaces regardless of their speed. They said these vehicles are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act, which means they require both insurance and a licence, which cannot be obtained for privately owned e-scooters.
Police added: “Not only do you risk your scooter being seized, in Sussex, if you cause serious harm to another person while riding an e-scooter we will investigate the incident to the same standard as a collision involving a car or motorcycle; and you will be held to account on the same basis as a motorist or motorcyclist.”