POLICE in Christchurch have said they are clamping down on illegal e-scooter use following "public complaints and potentially dangerous" crashes involving the two-wheeled vehicles.

It is against the law to ride an e-scooter on public land including pavements, cycleways and beach promenades, except for the Beryl hire vehicles which are part of the government trial scheme.

The same applies to publicly accessible land such as parks and car parks.

In recent weeks, officers from Christchurch Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has dealt with six people by way of warnings and prosecutions.

A Dorset Police spokesman said four people received education, one juvenile repeat offender was taken home to their parents and given words of advice and one adult rider who reportedly refused to engage and attempted to ride off from officers is now facing prosecution.

A spokesperson for Christchurch NPT said: "Riders are stopped and if it’s a first offence, they receive education or advice, by way of the leaflet and sign a form stating they agree to not use e-scooters illegally again.

“Repeat offenders, or where the riders do not engage suitably with the advice, then face prosecution. The e-scooter can be seized if repeat offending occurs. This will be down to officer discretion.”

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