Motorcycles, e-scooters and e-bikes are all great inventions. Fun way to travel too in many ways. But like everything else they can be a nuisance, or a tool for criminal activity. Here’s the word from Silverlake Recycling;
Silverlake Automotive Recycling is supporting Sussex Police and Dorset Police in their efforts to tackle the illegal and anti-social use of e-bikes, e-motorcycles and e-scooters, providing a secure and environmentally responsible service to destroy vehicles seized by the forces.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick visited Silverlake’s Authorised Treatment Facility in Shedfield, Hampshire, on 3 November 2026 to witness the destruction of vehicles seized by their respective forces. Sussex Police’s ‘Operation Scramble’ and Dorset Police’s ‘Operation Think’ both target criminality involving e-bikes and e-scooters. The visit to Silverlake highlighted the role of effective partnerships in tackling the use of illegal vehicles and ensuring they cannot return to the streets.
Illegal e-scooters, non-compliant e-bikes and unlawfully ridden e-motorcycles can pose significant risks to pedestrians and other road users. Their use has also been linked to anti-social behaviour and wider criminal activity, including offences such as phone snatching. Police forces are increasingly concerned about vehicles that have been modified or are capable of speeds and power levels that take them outside the law.
Changes introduced through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 strengthened police powers to seize vehicles being used anti-socially, without the previous requirement to issue a warning first. This enables officers to take swifter action where the legal threshold for seizure is met.
From 1 November, Sussex Police and Surrey Police have also introduced a new ‘No Returns’ approach for eligible e-scooters, illegal e-bikes, e-motorcycles and unregistered off-road motorcycles seized by officers. Vehicles are assessed and processed in line with police procedures and, where appropriate, destroyed.
Silverlake provides both Sussex Police and Dorset Police with the specialist vehicle destruction service needed to ensure seized vehicles are responsibly disposed of and permanently removed from circulation.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:
“It was fascinating seeing first-hand the work that Silverlake does to safely process and destroy dangerous and criminally-linked vehicles of all shapes and sizes. I was particularly reassured to note how closely their work supports the efforts of Sussex Police in disrupting criminal activity and ensuring that vehicles used in crime are permanently removed from our roads. As Police and Crime Commissioner, it gives me great confidence to know that strong partnerships like this are helping to keep Sussex residents safe and prevent offenders from continuing their criminal activities in our county. I would like to thank Allen Prebble and his dedicated team for such an insightful and informative visit.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said:
“Seeing these e-scooters and illegal e-bikes being crushed sends a clear message: if you use these vehicles illegally, you risk having them seized and destroyed. E-scooters and illegal e-bikes can pose a real risk to public safety, whether through excessive speeds, unsafe modifications or their use in anti-social behaviour and crime. Dorset Police is taking action to tackle these issues, and it is important that the public understands the consequences of breaking the law. I would like to thank Silverlake for facilitating this visit and for working with Dorset Police to ensure these seized vehicles are disposed of appropriately. I will continue to support work that makes our streets safer and holds those who put others at risk to account. These seizures demonstrate that illegal use will not simply be ignored.”
Allen Prebble, managing director at Silverlake Automotive Recycling said:
“At Silverlake, we greatly value our strong and collaborative relationships with both Sussex Police and Dorset Police. Working as partners, we’ve been able to support their vital efforts in promoting public safety and tackling crime, while showcasing the importance of responsible vehicle recycling. Our relationships with these Police Forces are built on trust and shared values. We’re proud to play our part in contributing to these initiatives that help to keep people safe, by responsibly depolluting and crushing the seized vehicles to ensure they cannot end up back on the road, or in the hands of criminal gangs to use for repeated criminal activity. Silverlake is monitored by the Environment Agency and we are proud to exceed their targets by recycling over 95% of the vehicles we process.”
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