A SOUTHAMPTON grandmother is calling for action to stop youngsters from illegally riding e-scooters in the city.
Barbara Claridge was driving home when she spotted underage boys smoking and riding Voi electric scooters on Spring Road in Bitterne.
She told the Daily Echo: "I was in the car and driving on the main road when I caught up with the boys.
"They were wearing school uniforms and were driving right after the school finished.
"The boy in the white shirt was smoking, and the other two were riding a scooter together." 
Technology firm Voi’s scooters have been available throughout the city since March 2021.
And in October, this year, the city council decided to extend the scheme during a cabinet meeting.
Riders must be 18-years-old with at least a provisional licence to use the trial e-scooters.
READ MORE: Worry over 'dangerous' e-scooter use in Southampton
READ MORE: Police seize e-scooter from youth after chase through shopping centre
Barbara, on the other hand, is now wondering how underage children can obtain scooters.
She said, "I don't know how they get hold of it.
"They must be either using their parent's or sibling's account.
"This can't be the only time an incident like this has been reported to Voi.
"Main roads are bigger, and you have to be very cautious.
"You can wobble and fall off.
"Anything can happen."
@voitechnology Caught on camera today 14:45 ish, Spring Road, Bitterne, Southampton. 3 boys on 2 Voi scooters, the one in the shirt smoking. This is a main road; they were surely not 18, could they have a driving licence? How did they get hold of your scooters? @SouthamptonCops pic.twitter.com/uNY16NIDA1
— Barbara Claridge (@56190bjc) November 25, 2022
While the grandmother of one appreciates the environmental and traffic-reducing benefits of electric scooters, she has some safety concerns.
Barbara said, "Personally, I think electric scooters keeping cars off the road is a great thing, but these lads were breaking the rules, and that spoils things for others.
"Voi needs to follow up on cases like these. They can't just dismiss it.
"If they are not following it up, it will increase the danger of someone losing their life."
READ MORE: Police arrest 'suspected drug driver' in major e-scooter crackdown in Southampton
The incident took place at around 2.45pm on Friday, November 25, and has been reported to Voi.
To which, the firm replied: "Thank you for reporting this, Barbara.
"Riders who are in breach of our terms and conditions will no longer be able to use the service."
The company is also urging people to report anything like this on their website.
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