Met deploys new testing kits to crack down on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters

The Metropolitan Police is intensifying its efforts against illegal e-bikes and e-scooters by distributing new testing kits across London.

This comes as the force reports a record number of seizures in 2026.

This crackdown aims to prevent their use in criminal activities, particularly phone theft.

As part of Operation Lexand, officers seized 29 e-bikes and seven e-scooters near Tottenham Court Road Station on Friday.

This targeted action forms part of a wider initiative by the Metropolitan Police to tackle phone theft and neighborhood crime and marks the seventh such operation this year, with a further five operations planned over the summer.

The project has led to the seizure of more than 2,500 illegal electric two-wheelers so far in 2026; this number exceeded the 2,241 seized in all of 2025.

Police are using innovative ‘swing paths’ technology to efficiently detect non-compliant vehicles. These portable Dynostar and Wenger test kits act as treadmills, quickly measuring whether e-bikes or e-scooters can travel faster than the legal limit of 15.5 mph via electric-assist pedals, batteries or throttle. The Met and Nottinghamshire Police are currently the only forces in the country to deploy this advanced equipment.

During the operation, officers manning two stops near Tottenham Court Road, identified with disproportionately high rates of e-bike traffic and associated crime, used plainclothes colleagues to help pull users over. Each test lasted about a minute, and drivers were generally kept for no more than 15 minutes.

Bicycles would be confiscated if a vehicle was found to be too fast or if the drivers did not have the appropriate license or insurance. Vehicle owners are given 14 days to provide the correct documentation before the vehicles are sorted for recyclable parts and destroyed.

Commander Neerav Patel, who oversaw the operation, highlighted the public’s frustration. He told the Press Association: “We have heard loud and clear that Londoners are fed up with the criminal and antisocial use of e-bikes. “We recognize that the use of e-bikes is criminal. [can be] It’s completely legitimate, but there are plenty of people intent on using e-bikes for criminal and anti-social purposes. “We know that e-bikes are being used in phone snatching, especially in this part of London.”

During the operation carried out on Friday, two people were arrested, one for attacking an emergency worker and the other for violating public order, theft and recall to prison.

The Met claims the raid yielded significant results, both statistically and in public perception. Commander Patel added: “What we’re doing is clearly working. Phone theft, which is increasingly carried out by thieves using illegal e-bikes in the West End, has almost halved. We’ll continue to do everything we can to make London a safer city for everyone to enjoy.”

Inspector Luke Baldock, second in command, noted a marked difference in public reaction. He said: “Usually when we’re out like this we go through a lot of pain, but it’s been night and day. Just talking to citizens passing by, everyone says thank goodness you’re doing something about it.”

He explained that public consultations have consistently identified “speeder bikes” as a major concern due to their danger and role in enabling other crimes such as robbery.

“We use the ‘rolling road’ solution. This means we detect more illegal e-bikes [and it’s] “It allows us to capture much more,” he added.

Some of the seized bikes belonging to brands such as Engwe, Fiido, Hitway and Super73 were seen to have speeds exceeding 43 kilometers per hour. The Met attributes the reduction in local crime to these seizures, reporting a 14% drop in neighborhood crime in London in the 12 months to June compared to the previous year; This equates to 35,000 fewer crimes reported.

This includes 23,311 fewer personal thefts (down 23%) and 2,943 fewer personal robberies (down 11%). Looking ahead, Mr Baldock described talks with charities and prisons to involve young people in dismantling confiscated bikes, while Mr Patel spoke of ongoing education work on the gig economy.