Chief Inspector’s Update

By Southend District Commander Chief Inspector Jo Collins.

I HOPE this finds you all well and enjoying the recent and unexpected warm weather.

This update is now my third and I hope that you find them useful and informative.

I recognise that not everyone uses social media, so I really wanted to ensure that our news, updates and appeals reach as wide an audience as possible and that the content here is what you are looking for from me and Southend Police.

We have also just relaunched the Southend edition of Dispatch our weekly electronic newsletter keeping you up to date on things happening across the Southend District. It is delivered by email, and I would urge anyone who wants to keep informed to sign up using the below link or via our website.

https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/dispatch/

You Said, We Did – We are always looking to action the reports and complaints we get around all issues relating to crime, anti-social behaviour, and road matters.

At recent LCM meetings concerns were raised about speeding around Earls Hall Primary School and the surrounding areas. As a result, officers and our Police Cadets have been deployed to complete speed watch checks and we will be deploying again soon in company with our Roads Policing Team to continue the public reassurance work and issue tickets to those committing offences.

We are often asked: “Are vehicles such as electric scooters/bikes, quads, go-peds, mini motos, hoverboards and segways legal to use on the road/pavement?”

So, to dispel some of the myths and support the action we take below is the law surrounding these.

Electric scooters, quads, go-peds, mini-motos, hoverboards and Segways: In legal terms, these are all examples of vehicles that may be considered motor vehicles and are therefore subject to all the usual legal requirements that apply to other motor vehicles such as cars or motorcycles.

Therefore, they cannot be used on the road unless they are taxed (if required), registered, have an MOT (if required), are insured and the driver has a valid driving licence for the category of vehicle. If any of these requirements are not met, the vehicle can’t legally be driven/ridden on the road.

Many of these types of vehicles will never be ‘road legal’ because their design fails to meet road-vehicle safety standards.

Note also that it’s an offence to use such vehicles on the pavement too.

They cannot be used on council land e.g., parks, unless there is a designated area specifically for them. In some areas, there may be commercially operated parks where they can be used.

They can only legally be used on private land/property with the permission of the land/property owner. However, note that it’s against the law for a child under 13 to drive/ride on a tractor or self-propelled vehicle e.g., a quad, when it’s being used in agricultural operations.

Electric bikes Electric bikes known as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) can be used on the road if they meet certain requirements, and the rider is at least 14 years old.

EAPCs aren’t classed as motor vehicles and so don’t require insurance and the driver doesn’t need a driving licence. Additionally, they are exempt from having to be registered and vehicle tax.

EAPCs cannot be used on the pavement.

Operation Community took place again on Thursday September 28 and this time we focused on Hamlet Court Road following complaints from businesses and residents.

One male was arrested for breaching a criminal behaviour order, he was subsequently charged and remanded to court.

An increase in police presence was included during the day with a further male being detained for shoplifting in the afternoon. Further work in Hamlet Court Road is planned to deal with residents’ concerns, but we need you to report things to us. The more reports we get giving specific detail of the times and days of a problem we can take targeted action to deal with those involved.

Events in your area – Saturday October 21, 11am to 12pm Belfair’s Woodland Centre, Leigh.

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