A dozen ‘dangerous’ modified e-bikes were seized by police during an illegal clampdown in Birmingham city centre.
West Midlands Police’s Operation Advance saw hundreds of officers tackling issues including dangerous driving, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and violence yesterday, Wednesday, July 16.
Police said e-bikes were permitted to travel at a top speed of 15.5mph, but some modified bikes taken off the streets were capable of exceeding more than double the limit.
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A number of fast food delivery drivers were stopped by officers for checks along the High Street and New Street yesterday afternoon.
The e-bikes operation in the city centre on July 16 -Credit:Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live
One bike’s speedometer showed 50.2km/h or 31mph. Police said motors should not exceed 250W.
Police said e-bikes were also seized for having no tax and insurance as they were considered a mechanical vehicle.
Some bikes could be worth more than £5,000 depending on the modifications made to them.
The seized bikes were due to be crushed at a police impound.
Pc Paige Gartlan told BirminghamLive: “These e-bikes are moving past people at high speed. They’re especially dangerous for children, the elderly and partially sighted people.
“We want to raise awareness of the bikes. They shouldn’t be reaching the speeds they are. They are actually illegal bikes and can be considered dangerous.”
Police seized a number of e-bikes in the city centre -Credit:Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live
Four immigration-related arrests were also made by officers from the Home Office in the joint operation with West Midlands Police.
Police worked with partners including British Transport Police, Birmingham City Council, security staff, business improvement districts during Operation Advance.
Activity started before dawn with officers heading out to arrest suspects wanted for a range of offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Drover, who oversees local policing, said: “Operation Advance is all about using our combined resources and skills, from areas such as intelligence, major crime, operations, road policing, and local policing, to make a real difference in one of our seven local policing areas.
“Yesterday was Birmingham’s turn, with the city centre as well as communities across the wider city seeing action from the influx of officers that Advance brings with it.”