Police join forces with recycling firm to crush illegal e-bikes and e-scooters

Police forces are stepping up efforts to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of e-bikes, e-motorcycles and e-scooters, with seized vehicles being permanently destroyed at a specialist recycling facility in Hampshire.

Silverlake Automotive Recycling, based in Southampton, is working with both forces to ensure vehicles seized during enforcement operations are safely destroyed, preventing them from returning to the streets or being used in further criminal activity.

On 3 November 2026, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick visited Silverlake’s Authorised Treatment Facility to witness the destruction process.

The visit highlighted the partnership approach to tackling illegal vehicle use, with Sussex Police’s Operation Scramble and Dorset Police’s Operation Think both targeting offences involving e-bikes and e-scooters.

Police have raised concerns about the dangers posed by illegal e-scooters, non-compliant e-bikes and unlawfully ridden e-motorcycles, particularly those modified to exceed legal speed and power limits. Their use has also been linked to anti-social behaviour and wider criminal activity, including phone snatching.

Changes introduced through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 have strengthened police powers to seize vehicles being used anti-socially, removing the previous requirement to issue a warning first where the legal threshold for seizure is met.

Sussex Police and Surrey Police also introduced a new 'No Returns' approach on 1 November, covering eligible e-scooters, illegal e-bikes, e-motorcycles and unregistered off-road motorcycles. Following assessment, vehicles can be permanently destroyed.

Silverlake provides specialist destruction services for Sussex and Dorset Police, ensuring seized vehicles are depolluted and responsibly disposed of.

Ms Bourne said the visit demonstrated how the partnership was helping police disrupt criminal activity and ensure vehicles used in crime were permanently removed from the roads.

She added that the work gave her confidence that Sussex residents were being protected through effective collaboration.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said the destruction of seized vehicles sent a clear warning to offenders. He said: "If you use these vehicles illegally, you risk having them seized and destroyed."

Mr Sidwick added that illegal e-bikes and e-scooters could pose significant risks through excessive speeds, unsafe modifications and their involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime.

Allen Prebble, managing director of Silverlake Automotive Recycling, said the company valued its partnerships with both forces and was proud to support their efforts to improve public safety.

He said the seized vehicles were responsibly depolluted and crushed to ensure they could not return to the roads or be used again by criminal gangs.

Silverlake is monitored by the Environment Agency and says it recycles more than 95 per cent of the vehicles it processes, exceeding the regulator's targets.

The partnership highlights the role specialist recycling facilities can play in supporting police efforts to tackle vehicle-related crime and anti-social behaviour.