E-scooter problems 'may get worse before they get better' in South Tyneside, police warn as officers target offenders

Ongoing problems with motorized scooters of various have been a bugbear in parts of the borough for years.

Police say they are targeting the issue and have seized vehicles recently in connection with nuisance behaviour.

But at a meeting of the East Shields and Whitburn Community Area Forum (CAF), acting inspector Chris Ecclestone, from Northumbria Police, stressed while officers are working on the issue and focusing on education, the problem is likely to persist in the short term.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: “We are aware it does need looking at. I think it’s something that may get a little worse before it gets better.

“I think it’s an educational issue, we are out there, we are taking kids back to their houses.

“Then we’ve tried to educate parents and say can you have a look at this Government website, this will tell you the legislation, and here are the dangers to the wider community and your son or daughter, whoever is involved in the activity.

“But we are aware and we are monitoring.”

Cllr Pat Hay, Harton ward representative, had raised concerns over the issue at the meeting, although police had already said they were monitoring and hoping to take more action on the issue.

Cllr Hay said: “With regards to the moped cycles that were mentioned before, quite a lot of them have those now, I’ve seen them on an evening.

“They’re driving along on the pavements, they don’t have any lights on them, the darker nights are coming, so perhaps it’s something that needs looking at.”

Acting inspector Ecclestone said although he has seized e-scooters, there have also been occasions where they will return the young people home with their vehicles, if deemed appropriate.

However he reiterated education is key, with many parents not knowing the rules and regulations for vehicles.

He said: “When we’ve spoken to kids and we’ve seen scooters in that area, the education from parents, they don’t know, nobody knows the legislation, we’re having to point them to the Government website.”

The comments were made at the East Shields and Whitburn Community Area Forum (CAF) at South Shields Town Hall on Thursday, September 2.

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