Police mocked for second time over using 7.5 tonne lorry to tow away scooter

Police have been mocked on social media for the second time over using a huge recovery truck to tow away an electric scooter.

West Mercia Police released a picture of the two-wheeler on the back of a 7.5 tonne flatbed lorry after they seized it in Hereford on Friday.

It comes after the operations patrol unit of the Worcestershire Police were mocked for posting a similar photo in February.

Hereford Police said on Friday they seized the vehicle after the user was spotted riding it on public roads.

Read: Labour slams government’s travel traffic light rating system as “confusing” and “dangerous”

Writing on Facebook, the force urged drivers to know the rules, adding that as a motor vehicle, e-scooters must comply with “various pieces of Road Traffic Legislation”.

“You can't register and tax them because they don't meet the safety regulations required, so the result is that you simply are not allowed to use them on roads, pavements, or other public places,” they added.

“If you do use an e-Scooter in those places you could face prosecution.

“Even if you are given a fixed penalty ticket, riding without insurance attracts a £300 fine and 6 points on your driving licence.

“If you don't have a licence, the points would be on it when you apply for one.”

But Facebook users immediately started questioning why officers chose the lorry rather than putting the 100lbs scooter in the back of a police car.

Watch: Elderly man spotted travelling down 7-mph dual carriageway - on mobility scooter

David Stokes posted: “Couldn't they have just put it in the back of a car instead of wasting money paying for an expensive recovery vehicle to take it away.

“Causing more unnecessary pollution and congestion on Herefords busy streets.”

Antony Price said: “Couldn't you guys have just put the thing in a patrol cars boot?

“That towing truck seems like a massive waste of resource for such a tiny thing.”

Nicky Martinez said: “Do you really want congratulating on what looks like a complete waste of money to bring a tow truck to seize a flipping scooter.”

Yvonne Hart said: “I wonder if they could have found a bigger town truck for that scooter!!!! That would have fitted into the boot of a police car surely.”

Read more:
Suspect caught after hiding in police station by accident
CCTV shows final moments of YouTube star’s life before he was stabbed to death

Steve Earl said: “What a waste of taxpayers’ money. If that was a private company someone would be sacked. Fold it up and put it in a car.”

Lee Ogleby said: “Should have got a bigger truck don’t think that ones big enough.”

In February, the Worcestershire Police operations patrol unit were mocked for their approach to seizing scooters in February, prompting a similar reaction on social media.

They towed an electric scooter in Worcestershire after a driver who had been disqualified from driving failed to stop for officers.

Police later tweeted a picture of the seized vehicle on the back of a tow truck, writing: "Not the best idea to fail to stop for police on an electric scooter when you are disqualified and have no insurance.

"These are both required to be able to ride on a road..."

But Twitter users responded by commenting: "Could have just thrown that in the boot."

Watch: E-scooters take off in COVID-hit London