Plea to report 'moron' electric motorbike pests

The public is being urged to report irresponsible electric motorbike and scooter riders to police amid a spate of anti-social behaviour in a town.

Northumbria Police has recently seized and destroyed 11 vehicles which were being ridden illegally in Cramlington in Northumberland.

The force and the county council are taking steps to combat the issue following a number of reports from residents.

Conservative councillor for Cramlington North Wayne Daley said: "I don't want to be in a situation where anybody is injured as a result of these morons. They are idiots."

Between 2020 and 2023, Cramlington had 694 incidents of anti-social behaviour related to the illegal use of electric and off-road motorbikes, the third highest figure in Northumberland.

That figure had been significantly reduced by the police's Operation Capio, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the operation in Cramlington ended last March when Government funding for the operation was pulled.

"Daley said: "Anybody who knows somebody with one of these stupid bikes should report them to the police so they can be seized."

He said it was a "massive issue" for the town and someone would eventually be seriously injured or killed.

Privately-owned electric scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, and cycle lanes in the UK, while electric motorbikes require a driving license to use on the roads legally.

Officers generally do not pursue the vehicles for fear of causing injury to the rider.

However, Northumbria Police said it had recently seized and destroyed a number of vehicles.

A spokesman said: "We've successfully intercepted and seized 11 electric scooters and a Sur-Ron bike – all of which are illegal to ride on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes.

"A moped linked to reports of antisocial behaviour was also seized."

The council added it was combining enforcement, prevention and community engagement to tackle the issue.

"Joint patrols and targeted operations using drone technology are taking place in hotspot areas," a council spokesman said.

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