I raised the antisocial and criminal use of e-bikes, e-scooters and quad bikes in Parliament today — a real issue for communities I represent. I'm pleased the Scottish Government is committed to increasing police powers to confiscate and retain these vehicles, and I'll continue pushing for greater fines and tougher deterrents

Full question:

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to increasing the powers of the police to confiscate and retain e-bikes, e-scooters and quad bikes used antisocially or in connection with criminal offending. 

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Kirsten Oswald)
The Scottish Government is working with Police Scotland to ensure that we implement our manifesto commitment to increase the powers of the police to tackle antisocial and criminal use of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters. We are reviewing police vehicle seizure and disposal powers, including the retention period. I am committed to doing all that we can to support enforcement and I am open to further legislative action. Although the law is already clear that the police can seize non-compliant or unlicensed e-bikes and e-scooters on public roads, we want to do more to protect the public. Crucially, we continue to urge the United Kingdom Government to use its reserved powers regarding vehicle registration for those vehicles.

Bob Doris
I welcome the minister to her place and thank her for that answer. In the previous parliamentary session, I met ministers on several occasions to raise concerns over the illegal use of such vehicles. I hope that we continue to have a similar relationship in this session.

I was pleased to see the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment on the issue. There is an intended consultation to update the Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2002, as mentioned by the minister. What stage is the consultation at? Does the minister agree that greater fines and greater powers in relation to retention and disposal must be actively considered as key deterrents to the antisocial behaviour that is impacting on the communities that I represent?

Kirsten Oswald
I am grateful to Bob Doris for his continued interest in this issue. I will be happy to meet him and other members from across the chamber to hear from them and update them on progress. We very much understand the concerns.

As Bob Doris mentioned, work and conversations are ongoing, including with the police. We are committed to increasing the police powers to confiscate and retain illegal e-bikes and e-scooters. We will continue the regular meeting process with Police Scotland and partners, and I am happy to write to Mr Doris with more details, if he would find that helpful.