E-scooters illegal on Sussex roads, pavements and cycle lanes

This comes after a resident noticed an increasing number of the electric vehicles in the Chichester area.

The force responded on Twitter after being asked to explain their stance on the scooters.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Under current UK law it's not illegal to buy an e-scooter or to use it on your own land, but it is illegal to use it anywhere else.

"The government is trialling the use of rental e-scooters to determine their safety on the roads. These are specifically licensed."

• READ MORE: Police say how much you could be fined for using an e-scooter illegally

There are currently no e-scooter trials ongoing in Sussex.

When asked by The Argus last October if the city could see rental scooters in the future, Brighton and Hove City Council said it has "no plans at present to participate in e-scooter trials locally".

Sussex Police have previously told The Argus that officer will "engage with and educate individuals on the legislation around the use of e-scooters" if they catch people riding them anywhere other than private land.

The force said punishments could vary depending on the offence committed by the rider.

E-Scooter

Examples of offences which could be committed by riders include:

• Driving with no insurance (a fine of up to £300 and six penalty points)

• Driving with no driving licence (a fine of up to £1,000 and between three and six penalty points)

• Driving with no MOT (a fine of up to £1,000)

As a result, a Sussex Police spokesman said the maximum penalty which can be issued to an e-scooter rider was "variable".

But he confirmed that they would be treated as drivers if caught.

Electric scooter. Pic: Totton Police Facebook

The spokesman said: "They are treated as drivers due to the mechanically propelled vehicle they are using."

But, responding to the recent Twitter post asking about the Sussex Police stance on e-scooters, PC Tom Van Der Wee of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit said that education played a key role when dealing with those breaking the rules.

He said: "Those that use e-scooters outside of the trial areas in public are committing offences, however a lot of people are unaware.

"Dependent on the circumstances, it may be appropriate for us to educate but might also be appropriate for us to enforce."

In December last year, an e-scooter was seized by police in Sussex after the rider was seen to whiz through a red light.

An e-scooter was seized after the rider was seen tailgating and overtaking cars at more than 30mph Credit: PC Glen McArthur/@slurpinpig

The rider was then arrested after they failed a roadside drug test and it was found they had been disqualified from driving.

And, on October 18, PC Glen McArthur of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit stopped a scooter in Chichester after spotting the rider tailgating cars and overtaking them at more than 30mph.

The vehicle was seized.