A call for ideas that “enhance the ability of UK police to prevent e-scooters and e-bikes from being used to commit criminal acts” has been issued after a rise in reports of such incidents.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) – the part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) tasked with finding and funding technology for the armed forces, police and security services – is carrying out the so-called “market exploration” on behalf of the Home Office and described the subject as a “problem that has ministerial interest”.
The government is particularly interested in ways the devices could be brought to a stop without putting the rider, police or the public at risk; how stationary e-scooters could be rendered “incapable of moving”, and suggestions for tracking down suspects electronically after an incident.
Police face “several challenges” when trying to stop e-scooters being used unlawfully, DASA said, adding: “E-bikes and e-scooters can reach excessive...