Met Police seize record 2,367 illegal e-bikes in London crackdown

Metropolitan Police seized 2,367 illegal e-bikes in London in the 12 months to 19 May 2026, the highest total of any UK force. The figure, obtained by the Press Association under freedom-of-information laws, marks an 83% increase on the previous year across the country. Police said the machines, which can exceed 70 mph, are linked to thefts, drug dealing and fatal collisions.

New powers to seize without warning

From 29 June 2026, officers no longer need to issue a warning before seizing illegal e-bikes. The change, introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, allows police to remove unregistered machines immediately if they are used anti-socially. A Government spokeswoman said the rise in seizures showed the scale of the problem, as reported by MyLondon.

Legal e-bikes, known as electrically assisted pedal cycles, must have a motor with a maximum power output of 250 watts and cut out at 15.5 mph. Many confiscated machines have been modified to travel much faster. Under UK law, these are classified as electric mopeds and must be registered, taxed and insured.

London hotspots and enforcement

Metropolitan Police carried out an operation near Tottenham Court Road station in May 2026, a known hotspot for phone theft and street crime. Commander Neerav Patel told the Press Association that Londoners were "fed-up of the criminal and antisocial use of e-bikes". Officers now use portable rolling road devices to test an e-bike’s maximum speed on the spot.

City of London Police seized four illegal e-bikes in half an hour during a recent operation. Sergeant Stuart Ford, who leads the cycle team, said some machines are three times heavier than conventional bikes. "If that was to hit a small child, it can cause serious injuries," he said, as reported by MyLondon.

Safety risks and recent incidents

Pedestrian safety charity Living Streets warned that the rise in e-bike use must not come at the expense of people walking. The Royal National Institute of Blind People said e-bikes are "heavy, fast-moving, silent vehicles" that present a danger when ridden carelessly, as reported by MyLondon.

In May 2025, 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson was killed by an illegal e-bike on a zebra crossing in Sunderland. A 10-year-old child was seriously injured after being hit by an e-bike on a pavement in Grimsby in April 2026. In January 2026, a pregnant woman in Poole was struck by an e-bike and gave birth prematurely to a seriously ill baby.

What happens next

Metropolitan Police will continue to target illegal e-bikes under the new powers. Residents can report anti-social use or unsafe machines via the Met’s website or by calling 101. The Government has not announced plans for further legislation but said it would monitor the impact of the new seizure powers.