1 month ago
14
Dozens of e-rideables have been seized and destroyed in WA Police’s first targeted operation cracking down on their use in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Operation Moorhead was launched in early January after ongoing reports from the public about children using electric scooters and off-road bikes, and has since seized bikes and scooters off Perth children aged between 11 and 16-years-old.
Residents in suburbs including Hillarys, Sorrento, Quinns Rocks, Butler and Mullaloo have taken to social media to express their frustrations about ‘ride-outs’, where riders meet up and use the e-rideables to drive dangerously and antagonise members of the public.
“Reports indicated that riders were allegedly engaging in antisocial behaviour across the district,
including throwing objects at people and vehicles, intimidating members of the public, riding recklessly on public roads, evading police, and posting their actions on social media,” a WA police spokesperson said.
Previous vision from residents in Perth’s north has shown young children lobbing water balloons and rocks at cars, driving in packs along busy 70km/h Marmion Avenue and driving on footpaths at top speed.
Police said the operation has since resulted in the seizure of 36 e-rideables from across the Joondalup district.
“A dedicated team has been deployed to respond, with assistance from Police Air Wing, drones and road policing motorcyles,” the spokesperson said.
“Targeted patrols have been conducted, and several lines of inquiry are continuing to be pursued to identify and locate individuals involved.”
Young children reportedly go on “ride-outs” on weekends in Perth, which are frequently posted to social media.
Police said they charged a number of children over the operation, as well as four adults.
They confirmed the operation is ongoing, and asked anyone with information that could help crack down on the behaviour to contact police.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch put riders on notice late last year, confirming, in the eyes of the law, e-bikes with a maximum speed of more than 25km/h were considered unregistered motorcycles.
Riders must also be over 16.
“When they don’t meet the criteria of an e-rideable ... they are purely an unregistered motorcycle, and I think a lot of people purchasing these things think they are legal, and they are e-rideables, but unless they are quite slow ... these are unregistered motorcyclists,” Blanch told Radio 6PR.
“They are going to be seized and destroyed every single time, there is no giving them back, they are always heading to the crusher because they are not able to meet the registration requirements of state vehicles.”
Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
