From 1 November, Sussex Police destroys seized private e-scooters and illegal e-bikes instead of handing them back. What is legal in Brighton, and what is not.
If police in Brighton and Hove seize your private e-scooter or an illegal e-bike, you will no longer get it back. A “no returns” policy came into force across Sussex and Surrey on Sunday 1 November. Seized vehicles will be assessed and, where appropriate, destroyed.
Sussex Police announced the change on Friday 30 October. Until now, officers used their discretion when they stopped a rider. That could mean words of advice rather than a seizure.
What the policy covers
The force says the new procedure applies to:
- e-scooters used illegally on public roads or in public places
- e-bikes that do not meet the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) rules
- e-motorcycles ridden unlawfully
- unregistered off-road motorcycles used on roads, public land or other places they are not allowed
Superintendent Jo Grantham, head of roads policing for Sussex Police and Surrey Police, said: “It doesn’t matter if you were just travelling to school or work, or if you are just riding for fun.” She added: “If you are caught, be in no doubt that your vehicle will be seized and destroyed.”
She said the consequences can also include a criminal record or a driving ban.
Why now
The change follows Operation Scramble, which the force launched in September to tackle illegal e-bike and e-scooter use. Neighbourhood officers work on it with the Roads Policing Unit and the Fatal Five Unit.
Sussex Police received 2,504 reports of e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden illegally in the 12 months to June 2026. That was up 53.7% on the 1,629 reports in the previous 12 months. The force says:
- 25.6% of the reports were about antisocial or dangerous riding
- 51.8% were about suspected drug activity
Those figures cover the whole county, not Brighton and Hove alone. They also leave out incidents officers dealt with on patrol.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said residents regularly raise riding “on pavements, in town centres or in public parks” with her. She welcomed what she called “this more robust approach”.
What is legal and what is not
Private e-scooters. The GOV.UK rules say it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter in public, including on pavements, roads and in parks. You can only ride one on private land, with the landowner’s permission. Rented e-scooters from official rental schemes are the only exception, and only in the areas that have one.
E-bikes. An e-bike is legal on roads and cycle paths, without a licence, if it meets the EAPC rules. The GOV.UK e-bike rules say it must:
- have pedals that can propel it
- have a motor rated at no more than 250 watts continuous power
- stop giving motor assistance above 15.5mph
- carry markings showing the power output and the manufacturer, plus either the battery voltage or the maximum assisted speed
You must be 14 or over to ride one. Even a legal e-bike cannot be ridden on the pavement.
An e-bike that goes faster on motor power, has a bigger motor or has no working pedals counts as a motorcycle or moped. It then needs registering, tax, insurance and a driving licence, and the rider needs a motorcycle helmet. Ridden without those, it is now one of the vehicles police will seize and may destroy.
What it means for you
If you ride a private e-scooter on Brighton’s roads, the seafront or the parks, the risk is now losing it for good on the first stop, not a warning.
If you have bought an e-bike online, check the label on the frame against the EAPC rules above before you ride it. A conversion kit or a throttle that works at speed can turn it into an unregistered motorcycle in law.
The force says it is working with schools, colleges and parents on education before enforcement. Parents of a child given an e-scooter or a powerful e-bike may want to check what it is before it goes out on the road.
You can report dangerous or illegal riding to Sussex Police online or on 101. In an emergency, call 999.
For this week’s road closures and bus diversions, see our Brighton roadworks and travel page.
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