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The Metropolitan Police are intensifying their efforts against illegal e-bikes and e-scooters by deploying new testing kits across London.
It comes as the force reports a record number of seizures in 2026.
The crackdown aims to curb 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 broader Metropolitan Police initiative to tackle phone theft and neighbourhood crime, marking the seventh such operation this year, with five more planned throughout the summer.
So far in 2026, the project has led to the seizure of over 2,500 illegal electric two-wheelers, surpassing the 2,241 impounded in the entirety of 2025.
The force is utilising innovative “rolling roads” technology to efficiently identify non-compliant vehicles. These portable Dynostar and Wenger test kits act as treadmills, quickly measuring whether e-bikes or e-scooters can propel themselves faster than the legal limit of 15.5mph through electrically assisted pedals, batteries, or throttles. The Met and Nottinghamshire Police are currently the only forces in the country to deploy this advanced equipment.
During the operation, officers stationed at two stop sites near Tottenham Court Road – an area identified for its disproportionately high e-bike traffic and associated crime rates – used plain-clothed colleagues to assist in pulling over users. Each test took approximately one minute, with drivers typically held for no more than 15 minutes.
If a vehicle was found to be too fast, or if drivers lacked proper licensing or insurance, the bikes were impounded. Owners are given 14 days to provide the correct documentation before the vehicles are stripped for recyclable parts and destroyed.
Commander Neerav Patel, overseeing the operation, highlighted the public’s frustration. He told the Press Association: “We’ve heard loud and clear that Londoners are fed up of the criminal and antisocial use of e-bikes. We recognise that the use of e-bikes [can be] perfectly legitimate, but there are a vast number of people intent on using e-bikes for criminal and anti-social uses. We know that e-bikes are used in phone snatches, particularly in this part of London.”
Two arrests were made during the Friday operation, one for assaulting an emergency worker and another for public order offences, theft, and recall to prison.
The Met claims the crackdown is yielding significant results, both statistically and in public perception. Commander Patel added: “What we are doing is clearly working. Phone theft in the West End, increasingly perpetrated by thieves riding illegal e-bikes, has nearly halved. We’ll continue to do everything we can to make London an even safer city for everyone to enjoy.”
Superintendent Luke Baldock, second-in-command, noted a marked difference in public reaction. He said: “Usually we get a lot of grief when we’re out like this but it’s been night and day. Just speaking to the members of the public passing by, everyone is saying thank goodness you’re doing something about this.”
He explained that public consultations consistently identified “speed bikes” as a major concern due to their danger and role in enabling other crimes like robbery.
“We’re using the ‘rolling road’ solution. That means we’re detecting more illegal e-bikes [and it’s] allowing us to seize many more,” he added.
Some seized bikes, from brands including Engwe, Fiido, Hitway, and Super73, were found to be capable of speeds exceeding 27 miles per hour. The Met attributes a reduction in local crime to these seizures, reporting a 14% decrease in neighbourhood offences in London over the 12 months to June compared to the previous year, equating to 35,000 fewer reported offences.
This includes 23,311 fewer thefts from person (down 23%) and 2,943 fewer personal robberies (11% lower). Looking ahead, Mr Baldock revealed discussions with charities and prisons to involve young people in disassembling seized bikes, while Mr Patel mentioned ongoing educational work with the gig economy.
