Councillors take Hucknall e-bike concerns to police and crime commissioner

Coun Lee Waters (Ash Ind), who represents Hucknall Central, has repeatedly raised residents’ concerns with Nottinghamshire Police and Ashfield Council.

Coun Waters is now joining Coun Paul Grafton (Ash Ind), the council’s community safety lead, in writing to police and crime commissioner Gary Godden (Lab).

They are calling for a sustained police operation in Hucknall.

Coun Grafton also represents Ashfield on the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel.

Residents have reported machines being ridden at speed through the pedestrianised High Street, riders pulling wheelies and pedestrians being forced to move out of the way.

One resident told Coun Waters he had been hit by an e-scooter, while others have raised concerns about being unable to get out of the way quickly enough.

Coun Grafton said: “Lee has been raising these concerns for some time and our community safety team has been involved.

“The council will continue doing everything it can through CCTV, intelligence and partnership working.

"But stopping riders, checking whether machines are legal and seizing illegal vehicles are police powers.

“Our local officers are already taking action and the public can help too.

"If parents, neighbours or others know who is riding these machines or where they are kept, please tell the police so those responsible can be targeted.”

Hucknall’s neighbourhood policing team has confirmed officers are patrolling the High Street and have already seized bikes.

Coun Waters said: “This is about law and order and keeping people safe.

"Nobody should have to dodge an illegal e-bike or scooter tearing through a pedestrian area.

“I have been pushing this with the police and council as residents have contacted me.

"Our local officers deserve credit for acting, but the complaints have not stopped.

"The next step has to be a more concentrated and sustained crackdown.

“The council can support with CCTV and community safety work.

"But the power to stop riders, test illegal machines and seize them sits with the police.

"Those powers need to be used.”

Nottinghamshire Police has already mounted targeted operations elsewhere in the county, including seizures of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in Kirkby and Nottingham city centre.

The councillors say Hucknall should now receive the same sustained focus.

They also want CCTV and residents’ reports used to target patrols at known problem times.

Coun Waters added: “Gary Godden has backed tough action against illegal e-bikes elsewhere.

"Paul and I are asking him to give Hucknall the same sustained focus and make sure our local officers have the backing and resources they need.

“Residents have raised it, we have been pushing it, now we want enforcement stepped up until the problem is brought under control.”