A spate of e-scooter riding offences has prompted police to clarify where the law stands.

After​​ dispensing several warnings followed by at least one seizure of an e-scooter, Uppingham beat officer PC Jamie Stott is exploring ways to crack down on the offence, while educating the public on what may be perceived as a legal grey area.

"I don't think everyone fully understands where the law stands on electric scooters," PC Stott told the LDRS.

"Every kid has had a scooter at some point, so maybe they don't understand that they are illegal to ride on public roads once you add that extra power.

"As motorised vehicles they would require insurance to ride legally, but since that can't be obtained, e-scooters on the carriageway are illegal. In some cases electric bikes may be permissible depending on their electric throttle set up, but e-scooters are a complete no-go."

E-scooter riders, who are mostly teenagers and young adults according to PC Stott, may be misinterpreting the law, especially given the legal channels through which electric scooters can be bought, including retailers Amazon and Halfords.

The Uppingham beat officer added that while "the law is the law", he and his team tend to give firm warnings to first-time offenders without confiscating the e-scooter, opting instead to educate and inform them as to why the practice is illegal.

"Some people will stop and just admit they didn't know e-scooters were illegal to ride on the road, while others will speed off and they're gone. These scooters are quite quick," PC Stott said.

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"At the end of the day, they are dangerous, and if riders go through a pedestrian area and hit a child, it would be a real concern. We're not here to penalise people and make their lives difficult, but the law is there and we have to follow it.

"We're willing to give riders a warning, but if we catch you again then we will seize your e-scooter from you under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act, and without the correct insurance, it'll likely be gone forever. Sent off for destruction."

Following a number of concerns from Rutland residents over e-scooters, PC Stott said Rutland police are considering deploying more co-ordinated tactics, as have been used elsewhere.

Under Operation Pedalfast, which has already seen use in other areas including Leicester and Melton Mowbray, officers have been deployed in pairs, using radios and police bikes to launch coordinated manoeuvres, apprehending offenders where police cars might not be able to access.

Operation Pedalfast has yet to be utilised in Rutland, but it is 'on the agenda', according to PC Stott, while the force continues to engage with the public and educate young people on e-scooter law.