POLICE have threatened to seize electric scooters causing problems in parts of Eastleigh.

Officers are launching a crackdown after reports of e-scooters being driven in-between cars, crossing roads at high speed, and riding on pavements.

Police have received several reports from Fair Oak and Bishopstoke and are now threatening to seize the vehicles from drivers if not used safely.

PCSO Sue Heywood said: “We received a number of complaints of driving in-between cars and crossing roads at high speeds, along with riding on pavements in and around Sandy Lane in Fair Oak.

“Our officers continue to engage with those individuals using the scooters for anti-social activity and we may use our powers to seize the vehicle.”

The scooters are considered a motor vehicle and therefore riders require a licence and insurance to ride them.

If riders cannot provide evidence of this to police than they are at risk of losing the property even if they are seen to be riding in a law-abiding manner.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said: “Our officers continue to engage with those individuals that they see riding them, and are proactively seeking to educate them if they come to notice, about the fact that they are considered a motor vehicle and require a licence and insurance.

“If we believe that riders do not have a licence or valid insurance, we may use our powers to seize the property.”

Eastleigh Borough Council is backing the police action.

A spokesperson said: “We fully support the Police in their efforts to deal with this anti-social behaviour happening in Bishopstoke and Fair Oak.”

Councillor for Fair Oak and Horton Heath, Nicholas Couldrey said: “This sort of thing is terribly irritating and can be dangerous to residents and therefore does have to be dealt with.

“I have a lot of sympathy for the residents affected as it can be quite scary if they’re coming down a pavement at you.”