PARENTS in Thurrock are being warned they could lose their driving licence if they buy their children an e-scooter.

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), a partnership of police and local councils including Thurrock, Southend and Essex County council, is reminding parents and carers that it is against the law for them to allow their child to ride an e-scooter to school, or anywhere on the roads.

Privately owned e-scooters are not allowed to be ridden on public land and highways.

SERP adds that if Essex Police officers stop a child and suspect a parent or carer of purchasing the e-scooter for them and allowing its use on the highway, the parent may be investigated for causing a traffic offence.

This could result in a £300 fine, penalty points, and, in some cases, prosecution. The e-scooter will most likely be seized by police as well.

The only e-scooters legal to use on public roads in Essex are those hired through the government-approved trial operated by Voi.

These can only be used by people aged 18 or over who hold a valid driving licence. They are available in Chelmsford and are planned to be brought to Braintree and, later, Colchester.

SERP says that experience shows that children who use e-scooters have limited road safety awareness and skills, do not know the Highway Code, and are not trained to anticipate the behaviour of other road users or perceive hazards.

Cllr Lee Scott, Chair of the SERP Governance Board, said: "The SERP's priority is to prevent people being killed or seriously injured on our roads. Privately owned e-scooters are illegal and unsafe, and we need to make sure this message is clear to every parent and carer. By working together with schools, communities and families, we can reduce the risks, improve understanding, and keep children safe."

Naomi Woodruff, Road Safety Education Team Leader for Essex Highways, added: "Through our work in schools, we see the incredible impact that education has on children's attitudes and behaviours around road safety. Most parents set a brilliant example, and we encourage every family to keep modelling safe choices. Please do not let your child be at risk by using an e-scooter on the highway."