Hundreds of e-scooters have been seized in London in the past week as police launch a crackdown on the vehicles.

A total of 507 e-scooters were confiscated by Metropolitan Police officers during “proactive patrols” across the capital.

The force decided to take action following a surge in the use of private e-scooters, which are illegal in the UK except when used on private land.

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens said: “Private use of e-scooters remains illegal on London roads.

“Riders using e-scooters on the road risk fines, points on their licence, and e-scooter seizures if they continue to use them on public road networks.”

Scores of legalised e-scooter rental schemes have been launched in urban areas across Britain since July last year, as part of a government trial.

A programme was launched in London earlier this month – amid growing safety concerns about the devices.

This week a 55-year-old man suffered a serious head injury after coming off his hired e-scooter, leaving him fighting for life.

E-Scooters and The Law!.. #Escooters pic.twitter.com/Feh4co9nig

He was in a critical but stable condition on Monday morning after the incident in Newcastle city centre on Saturday, Northumbria Police said.

Meanwhile e-scooter rider Shakur Pinnock, 20, died in hospital on 18 June, six days after he was involved in a car crash in Wolverhampton.

YouTube star and TV presenter Emily Hartridge died after she was hit by a lorry while scooting in Battersea, south London, in July 2019.

In April this year, a three-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after he was hit from behind by an e-scooter while walking on a pavement with his grandmother in Feltham, west London.

And six-year-old Jamie Smith was left with a fractured skull after being hit by a teenage e-scooter rider in May.

His sister, Brooklyn, says under-21s should to be banned from using the devices.

Charity Guide Dogs has called for the sale of private high-speed e-scooters to be outlawed.

It has also expressed fears that the use of scooters could mean some people with sight loss are being forced to change their routes – or abandon independent travel.

Riders caught illegally using e-scooters in the West Midlands could face a £300 fine or having their vehicle seized – as officers launched a month-long operation throughout June in a bid to tackle law-breakers putting others at risk.

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