AN operation to clamp down on the illegal use of e-scooters throughout Ealing Borough has taken place recently.

According to the police, e-scooters are a popular choice among criminals when they commit robberies, drug and weapon deliveries.

Safer neighbourhood teams from Hanger Hill, Southfields and East Acton were all involved in the operation which took place across two days on May 21-22.

During the operation, the team engaged with members of the public in parks and busy streets in order to educate them about the current law regarding e-scooters and provided them leaflets outlining the offences they can commit if they are to ride an e-scooter in public places.

During the operation, three e-scooters were seized, with riders reported for the offences they committed, and seven warnings were issued to riders about the proper use of their scooters.

There were also 22 mopeds stopped, with checks carried out to ensure that all was in order.

A number of searches were also conducted, which resulted in drugs being seized.

PC Simeon Simeonov, Dedicated Ward Officer who led the operation, said: "I organised Op Rider as a local operation to tie in with the met-wide Op Hornet operation targeting e-scooters.

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"Officers engaged with members of the public and educated them about the law regarding e-scooters and also provided leaflets and issued Op Hornet warning to riders when possible.

"Several e-scooters had to be seized from members of the public and a number of motorbike stops were also conducted.

"During Op Rider several people were reported for traffic offences and there were two drug seizures after positive stop and searches following stops on e-scooters and motorbikes.

"This shows that e-scooters and motorbikes are linked to crime such as drug and weapon deliveries."

This comes as from Monday, June 7, e-scooters will be available to rent throughout Ealing from three private-hire firms.

These scooters will be legal to use, but private owned e-scooters will still be prohibited in public.