Tackling anti-social use of electronic scooters and bikes
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Wakefield Council, as part of Wakefield’s Community Safety Partnership, is helping to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of electric scooters and bikes through targeted action days.
“Everyone should feel safe and we won’t tolerate behaviour that has a negative impact on our communities. That’s why we’re working hard with local partners to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“We’re pleased to see partners of the Community Safety Partnership coming together to help crack down on this issue and support local communities to feel safer.”
Cllr Rebecca Webster
Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities
Between April and August, 18 days of action have been completed, with 134 riders of electric scooters stopped, spoken with regarding the safety aspects and warned regarding their illegal use.
There have also been 30 warnings under S.59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 issued to riders acting in an anti-social manner. And 15 vehicles have been seized by the Police.
Working with Wakefield District’s Off-Road Bike Team, 171 young people - either riders or connected to the riding of illegal e-vehicles plus their parents or guardians - have been offered information regarding the safety and legal issues involved.
Where riders continue to use a vehicle after a prior warning, or where the vehicle is used dangerously, poses a clear safety risk, or forms part of wider offending pattern then these vehicles are ultimately seized.
Chief Inspector Emma Hooks, of Wakefield District, said: “Our dedicated Off-Road Bike Team work closely with our neighbourhood policing teams in carrying out proactive patrols to identify and seize bikes that are being ridden illegally or in an anti-social manner. We are committed to tackling behaviour that causes nuisance, alarm or danger to others.
"We would urge parents and guardians to think carefully before purchasing these bikes and to understand the impact their use can have on local communities. These vehicles can pose significant safety risks, and there have been a number of serious incidents nationally linked to their use.
“We also encourage members of the public to report information about the use of these bikes through our online reporting channels. This information helps us build intelligence, target enforcement activity and keep our communities safe."
To report the anti-social use of electric scooters or bikes visit https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/report-nuisance-bikes. Information can also be passed to the police by calling the non-emergency number 101. Any crime in progress or threat to life should be reported via 999.
Wakefield’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is made up of Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Vico Homes, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, National Probation Service and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Voices - Nova Wakefield.