are seen as a growing problem for various reasons
- they are faster than we think, e-bike capable of 100kmph seized
- they are silent
- they can move unpredictably
- get used for theft/crime like phone snatching
News – 25 July 2026
Met seize record 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters this year
The Metropolitan Police has seized more than 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the first seven months of this year, surpassing the total number seized during the whole of 2025.
The record-breaking figures highlight the success of the Met’s ongoing crackdown on the illegal modification and dangerous use of two-wheelers, helping to improve road safety and cut crime across London.
The Met is also one of the first police forces in the country to deploy new technology, such as ‘rolling roads’, enabling officers to test the speed of suspected modified bikes at the roadside and quickly determine whether they comply with legal requirements.
Last year, officers removed more than 2,200 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters from London’s roads. This year’s seizures bring the total to more than 4,750 since January 2025.
Commander Neerav Patel, who leads the Met’s crackdown on e-bikes, said:
“We are continuing to come down hard on those who use illegally modified e-bikes, whether to drive dangerously or to commit crimes such as phone snatching and drug dealing.
“By combining the use of new technology like ‘rolling roads’ with an intelligence-led approach to precisely target hotspot areas, we have cleared thousands of two-wheelers from our streets and crushed them.
“What we are doing is clearly working. Phone theft in the West End, increasingly perpetrated by thieves riding illegal e-bikes, has nearly halved. We’ll continue to do everything we can to make London an even safer city for everyone to enjoy.”
On Friday, 24 July, officers set up a stop-site in Camden where they deployed ‘rolling roads’ to test suspected modified e-bikes and e-scooters. 36 vehicles were seized, with 2 arrests made.
The Met continues to drive down local crime. Newly released figures show neighbourhood offences are down by 14 per cent in the 12 months to June, compared with the previous year – the equivalent of 35,000 fewer reported offences.
This includes reductions in theft from person (-23 per cent) and personal robbery (-11 per cent). Illegal e-bikes and mopeds are frequently used by offenders to commit these crimes.
In Westminster – one of London’s major tourist hubs – neighbourhood crime has fallen by 36 per cent over the same period – the equivalent of nearly 14,000 fewer offences.
In March, officers seized 52 e-bikes and mopeds during a two-day operation in the West End and Harlesden, as well arresting a man in possession of a combat knife.
Phone thieves are increasingly using high-powered e-bikes to snatch phones and evade police, often riding dangerously through busy areas.
In June, the Met launched a ten-day crackdown on phone theft across London. Hundreds of arrests were made, including those of known, prolific and violent thieves. The operation forms part of the Met’s largest ever crackdown on phone theft which has resulted in 13,000 fewer offences across London during the last financial year.
Tackling two-wheel enabled crime remains a priority, with plans in place to expand the Met’s fleet of high-powered e-bikes to pursue offenders more effectively.
Currently UK sellers of speed pedelecs e-bikes are not obliged to confirm that a purchaser holds a valid moped or motorcycle licence. This needs to become a legal requirement. In addition the seller should record the buyer name, address, insurance & tax details before the purchaser can complete the purchase
Many couriers use them, but not all are legal. The problem may be for the courier that they unwittingly purchase an e-bike but don’t ride it legally and it gets confiscated suddenly.
Legal Framework
Electric bikes and rules for riding them
You can ride an electric bike, or an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC), without a license or insurance if you’re 14 or over.
An electric bike:
- must have pedals that you can use to propel it
- can have more than two wheels, for example a tricycle
- must have an electric motor that can run continuously at a maximum power of no more than 250 watts
- must have no electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 miles per hour (mph)
If your electric bike fails to meet any of these requirements it needs to be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or a moped.
There is more information on what’s required to ride your electric bike legally on GOV.UK.
Wee also important warning about committing vehicle nuisance involving e-bikes.
