COURT RESULT | Dangerous e-bike removed from the streets in ongoing force commitment to make communities safer

COURT RESULT | Dangerous e-bike removed from the streets in ongoing force commitment to make communities safer  

Effective tactics from Dyfed-Powys Police to tackle the ongoing problem of illegal e-bikes has resulted in a dangerous rider having his vehicle seized for destruction. 

On Tuesday March 10 in Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, 24-year-old Joshua Miller admitted to driving dangerously, failing to stop a vehicle when directed by police, and also using an e-bike without third party insurance.  
 
Miller, of Monkton in Pembroke, was disqualified from driving for 12 months, must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge. A deprivation order was made for his e-bike, which he had spent approximately £10,000 on modifying. 

On September 6 last year, officers attended central Pembroke following a report of e-bikes being driven in an anti-social manner just before midnight. Miller was among a group of riders that then hurled verbal abuse towards officers after being requested to stop while riding down a narrow, pedestrianised alleyway.  
 
Miller was approached by police on a grass verge, before dangerously accelerating the e-bike while two officers held onto him. He was then promptly arrested.  
 
Miller’s arrest came as part of a Dyfed-Powys Police operation whereby officers were specially trained to use SelectaDNA spray to tag offending e-bikes – a tactic used to evidentially link dangerous riders to illegal incidents.  
 
Superintendent Louise Harries of Pembrokeshire BCU, said: “This result comes due to the innovative thinking and tenacity of officers seeking to problem solve this issue in our communities. It is thanks to pure good fortune that no one was hurt after Miller accelerated his e-bike in this manner, propelling the officers forward with the powerful vehicle. 

“These riders are causing great concern to local communities as a result of their inconsiderate, dangerous and illegal riding of e-bikes, which are also often modified to travel at far greater speeds.  

“The illegal and reckless use of these e-bikes is not only a nuisance, but it is also intimidating for residents when they are ridden at high speeds, weaving through streets and mounting pavements or walkways.  

“This is why we are taking robust action, and the seizure of Miller’s e-bike demonstrates our commitment to tackling this problem. It is wrong that people are fearful of walking through their neighbourhoods because of the risk that dangerous e-bikers cause.  

“We will continue to target these groups of people over the coming months, and we are confident these operations will have positive results. We also continue to urge members of the community who witness these types of incidents, or have any information about anyone riding illegally, to please contact us.” 

You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police in the following ways:  

Online: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/  

Email: [email protected]  

Call: 101