Police in Bucks urges parents not to purchase e-scooters for Christmas
Thames Valley Police are issuing warnings to parents thinking of buying e-scooters for their children this Christmas
There are growing concerns over the number of people found using e-scooters illegally in Buckinghamshire.
Thames Valley Police have issued warnings over the use of private e-scooters, which are only legal to be used on privately owned land.
E-scooters which are part of rental schemes are, however, legal with a valid driving licence.
"...the illegal use of privately owned e-scooters because of the insurance, but secondly of course there's the behaviour of some people on them."
Council rental schemes are currently operational in five locations in the Thames Valley, in Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Milton Keynes and Oxford as part of a Government trial.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police, Matthew Barber, said: "They cannot be insured, private e-scooters, so they're illegal to ride anywhere on public land in the UK."
"There are two issues here, there is one around the illegal use of privately owned e-scooters because of the insurance, but secondly of course there's the behaviour of some people on them."
Police are increasingly attending the scene of incidents involving e-scooters, which are often used recklessly, especially on pavements.
They are issuing warnings ahead of Christmas to discourage parents from buying them for their children, often without knowing the legality around them.
In order to tackle the unlawful use of these scooters, Thames Valley Police announced last month they would issue fines for the parents of children and teenagers caught riding them.
"...it's not to say that they are an inherently bad idea, but we need to make sure we develop that technology in a way that is safe for people."
In addition to legal concerns are the fire risks around lithium batteries, which are found in electric scooters.
A growing number of households across the UK have experienced house fires caused by the explosion of these batteries.
Mr Barber said: "It's certainly another one of those areas we need to raise awareness about, it's not to say that they are an inherently bad idea, but we need to make sure we develop that technology in a way that is safe for people."