Illegal e-bikes to be seized and destroyed

Illegal e-bikes and e-scooters will be seized and destroyed under a new crackdown announced by Surrey Police.

The force has launched Operation Scramble, which will see roads policing officers and neighbourhood teams carrying out patrols across the county.

Police said the operation would target "reckless, antisocial and illegal riders".

Chief Supt Graham Barnett said the illegal use of the vehicles was a growing problem in Surrey and officers would "tirelessly pursue riders who are causing fear and nuisance in our county".

From next month, all illegal e-bikes and e-scooters seized by Surrey Police will be sent for destruction.

Barnett said many reports involving illegal e-bikes were linked to criminal activity.

He said: "The bottom line is e-scooters are illegal to use in public, unless through an authorised rental scheme, of which there are none in Surrey, and e-bikes must meet strict legal requirements."

More than a third of identified riders, 36%, were children or teenagers, which Barnett described as "a real concern".

The force says it has seized 136 e-bikes and e-scooters so far in 2026, compared with 127 during the whole of last year.

Police said there had been two serious injury collisions involving e-scooters in Surrey since October 2025, as well as three crashes involving e-bikes.

Barnett said the destruction policy would provide reassurance to residents concerned about illegal riding.

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