PATROLLING police officers in Basildon were immediately suspicious when a man on an illegal e-scooter turned to ride away when they approached him.

And, after promptly detaining Gift Osondu, 23, in St Martin's Square on 5 May 2026, their suspicions were proved correct.

A search revealed a knife hidden in the waistband of his trousers, as well as cash and a mobile phone linked to drug dealing.

PC Thomas Windeatt, of Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team, says: "The public spaces protection order in Basildon town centre bans people from riding privately-owned e-scooters.

"When Osundu saw us approaching and turned away, his behaviour raised our suspicions and we stopped him to find out what was going on.

"We use stop and search when we suspect people are carrying weapons, drugs or stolen property. It's an important tool which helps us to keep people safe and, in this case, resulted in a knife being taken off our streets.

"We will continue to act when we have grounds to do so, whether that means seizing weapons and illegal e-scooters or disrupting drug dealing."

Dangerous and illegal use of e-scooters and modified e-bikes is one of the issues people regularly raise with neighbourhood policing officers, who work with Basildon Borough Council staff to seize and destroy illegal e-scooters and non-compliant e-bikes.

Officers searched Osondu, of The Gore, Basildon, under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which allows police to stop and search a person or vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect possession of a controlled drug.

In court on 9 October 2026, Osondu admitted possession of a knife in a public place and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Basildon magistrates sentenced him to 21 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, with orders made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife, cannabis and mobile phone.

Because e-scooters are illegal to ride on public land - unless there is an authorised rental scheme in place – Osondu's e-scooter was also seized and will be destroyed.

e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988, which means riders must have a licence and be insured.

Other than renting one through an authorised rental scheme, it is illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, shopping centres and on pavements and footpaths.

If you own an e-scooter, you can only use it on private land, such as in a garden. But you must have the landowner's permission. However, it's not currently possibly to get insurance for privately-owned e-scooters.

If you use a one in public, you risk it being seized under section 165 of the RTA for having no insurance.

You can ride an e-bike or an electrically-assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) without a licence or insurance if you are 14 or over.

However, your e-bike must keep to certain standards, including a speed limit of 15.5mph. If it does not, it must be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or moped.

For more information, visit Essex Police's e-scooters and e-bikes advice webpages: https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters