Latest news with #eBikes
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Man arrested over reports of group throwing stones at cars on M25
A man has been arrested after reports of a group throwing stones at cars on the M25 from a Police said on social media that it had arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage and causing danger to road users following alleged incidents in Reigate force said it had received recent reports of a group of men on e-bikes throwing stones on to the motorway from the M25 flyover, as well as on to the A217 from the Reigate Hill footbridge.A spokesperson for the force said the suspect remains in custody and they are continuing to investigate the incidents, which were mostly reported between 22:00 and 01:30 BST. Anyone with information is urged to contact Surrey Police.
Telegraph
28-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Phone thieves' e-bikes to be crushed hours after they are caught
Police will receive powers to destroy e-bikes and e-scooters hours after they are seized in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and snatch thefts. Officers will no longer have to give a warning to an offender before seizing and destroying a bike, scooter or car that has been driven in an anti-social way or used to perpetrate the theft of a mobile phone or bag. Instead of waiting 14 days before being able to dispose of them, police will have powers to destroy them within 48 hours. Ministers said the current 14-day deadline made it easier for offenders to reclaim their bikes, scooters or vehicles, which provided a limited deterrent to repeat offending. While e-bikes and scooters have become an increasing source of irritation for pedestrians, they are, along with mopeds and scooters, being increasingly used in snatch thefts. The number of snatch thefts, where devices or personal items are grabbed from a person by a thief, rose from 58,000 in 2023 to 99,000 last year – the highest level since 2003, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. 'Swift justice' Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said: 'Anti-social and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks. 'By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we're giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve. 'As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that anti-social behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.' Labour is also looking to increase the fines for the cost of seizing, towing and crushing vehicles. A previous consultation recommended that it should be increased by the rate of inflation since the fees were last raised in 2008. This would cover the cost of recovering vehicles. The problem of nuisance driving has become so bad that some forces have launched dedicated operations to combat it. Operation Vulcan in Oldham has been targeting e-bikes, four of which were seized after their drivers were arrested for drug supply. Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead for roads policing, said: 'Anti-social use of a vehicle, such as street racing, street cruising or off-road use is more than a matter of noise pollution. 'It can have long-term effects on a neighbourhood, with the criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.' Edmund King, the AA president, said: 'Illegal car meets and street racing are not just anti-social, but also present road safety problems which have resulted in needless injuries and fatalities. 'This is a positive step that should make people think again before joining illegal car cruises.'
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Electric vehicle fires almost double in two years
Fires involving electric vehicle with lithium-ion batteries have almost doubled in two year with UK fire brigades tackling at least three blazes per day as battery-powered cars and e-bikes become more popular and commonplace on our streets. There has been a 93 per cent increase in instances recorded between 2022 and 2024, a new report from business insurer QBE revealed this week. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UK fire services in March discovered e-bikes are the major contributor with 362 cases last year (up from 181 in 2022). But alarmingly for drivers, the volume of electric car blazes rose by 77 per cent over the two-year period. Fires involving 'e-cars' increased from 131 to 232 between 2022 and 2024. While the number of electric cars on the road in the UK hit over one million in 2024, which makes the increase in fires seem minimal, QBE believes that the risk from EV fires is substantial due to their fire intensity, speed of ignition and the rapid spreading caused by lithium-ion batteries. Calling for improvements to lithium-ion battery safety, Adrian Simmonds from QBE Insurance, said instances of fires are 'increasing at a worrying pace' and warned they 'burn differently, take longer to tackle, typically need ten times more water to put out and are often more harmful to the surrounding environment'. The rising number of lithium-ion battery fires due e-vehicles Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, including smartphones, laptops, power tools and e-vehicles. But it's e-bikes in particular that are causing the scary rise in lithium-ion battery fires in the UK. These electric-powered bikes designed for easy cycling are being linked to almost a third (27 per cent) of all recorded lithium-ion battery blazes last year. E-bikes accounted for 362 fires in 2024, double from 181 in 2022. This means the nation's fire services tended to an e-bike fire almost every day last year. Unsurprisingly, London is the epicentre for e-vehicle blazes, accounting for almost a third of all lithium-ion battery fires in the UK last year and nearly half of all e-bike igniting (49 per cent or 178 incidents). London currently has over 40,000 e-bikes for hire, with Forest bikes and Lime bikes the most common. TfL is also expanding its fleet of 'Boris bikes' to include 2,000 e-bikes by the end of summer. Electric car fires increased by 77 per cent - up to 232 in 2024 making them the second most common e-vehicle to have a battery fire. Electric scooter battery fires increased by 32 per cent, up from 118 in 2022 to 156 in 2024, the report found. While electric mobility scooters might not have the highest combustion rates – up 20 per cent in two years from 25 in 2022 to 30 in 2024 - the threat to their users is heightened, particularly for those with limited mobility who may struggle to vacate quickly in the event of a fire. Where in the UK has the most lithium-ion battery fires? Of all the fire services in the UK, the London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion battery fires in 2024. There were 407 incidents in the capital – more than four times the next highest region. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was second, reporting 100 lithium-ion battery fires, followed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue - which covers Leeds and Bradford - reporting 94 lithium-ion battery fires. In terms of the whereabouts blazes sparked, the most frequent is at residential properties, followed by outdoors and commercial premises. Why lithium-ion battery fires are particularly dangerous and what's being done about it Lithium-ion battery fires are the result of 'thermal runaway', where batteries start to irreversibly overheat, usually due to impact damage, over-charging or over-heating. In the case of electric cars, batteries are extremely powerful. So, even though they are relatively uncommon, any fire can result in explosive incidents that are significantly more energetic, causing extensive damage, and potentially injury or even death. In light of the risk these fires could have to e-transport users, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched the 'Buy Safe, Be Safe' campaign in October 2024, advising consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases. Additionally, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to strengthen safety standards for products sold in the UK. As personal e-transport becomes more popular and more electric cars hit the road, QBE says there is a growing need for better public education on safe battery use and fire prevention. Simmonds warned: 'People need to understand the risks [with lithium-ion battery fires] and how to deal with them. 'While QBE supports the adoption of e-transport, we also call for stricter regulation. 'For instance, the UK should stop the sale of rogue e-bikes and other unregulated devices. This could be done in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is going through Parliament. 'In the meantime, consumers should purchase e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable companies, so retailers that show they take quality and compliance seriously with a genuine CE mark. 'Raising awareness around safe charging, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is critical to keeping people and property safe.'
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Telegraph
Bike-riding phone snatchers targeted with DNA tagging spray
Robbers on e-bikes are being targeted by police with DNA tagging spray that enables officers to track, catch and prosecute them. Police officers are using the spray to mark the bikes, clothing and skin of riders and passengers without having to undertake risky pursuits of the robbers. The e-bikes are increasingly being used by thieves to snatch mobile phones and bags from members of the public because their higher speeds make it harder for police to pursue them. Each time the police use the spray it carries a unique DNA code within the invisible dye which is only detectable by UV light. It remains on a suspect's skin and clothes for several months after they are sprayed with it, which means police can then link them via the unique DNA code to a specific theft. The technology is being deployed in hotspots for mobile phone and bag thefts which have risen nationally by 70 per cent in just a year to a 20 year high. The number of snatch thefts – where devices or personal items are grabbed off a person by a thief – rose from 58,000 in 2023 to 99,000 in 2024, the highest level since 2003, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. The Metropolitan, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Scottish police forces are among those running trials of the technology. Insp Dan Jones, who leads the Watford neighbourhood policing team in Hertfordshire, said: 'It's another tool in our box of tactics to make it increasingly difficult for criminals to operate. 'Since the launch of Operation Hotspot in May last year, we've seen a 9 per cent reduction in town centre crime and a 15 per cent fall in reports of anti-social behaviour, so we know that what we're doing is having a positive effect. 'However, we are still seeing the use of high-powered e-bikes in criminality, and not only that but they're putting public lives at risk with their reckless riding. The spray will enable us to identify those responsible without the need to engage in risky high-speed pursuits.' 'Expect a knock on the door' He said officers had begun using the spray on a daily basis after receiving training, adding: 'We want this to serve as a warning to those involved – expect a knock on the door, because we will catch up with you.' The pilot of SelectaDNA tagging spray is expected to run for six months before the results are reviewed and evaluated. The tagging kits are also being distributed to businesses in targeted rural locations across Hertfordshire to protect their products and equipment from burglary and theft. The tagging spray has also been used to enforce domestic abuse restraining orders by being deployed within victims' homes or to be carried by them so that any abuser who approaches them can be sprayed and shown to have breached their orders. The Met has also used it to mark products in supermarkets so that they can be tracked if stolen to the shoplifting gangs behind the thefts and shops that receive the stolen merchandise.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The celebrity hotspot besieged by e-bikes: Primrose Hill restaurant says dozens of cycles are being dumped on doorstep and blocking deliveries
A Primrose Hill restaurant popular with celebrities is being besieged by e-bikes after a parking bay was installed on its doorstep. Greek restaurant Lemonia, which has been a staple of the trendy suburb for 50 years, regularly has up to 60 Lime and Forest bikes dumped outside. Owner Anthony Evangelou said the addition has caused havoc for his business - popular with celebs such as Madonna and Harry Styles - and is considering taking legal action. The 80-year-old claimed the bikes leave the restaurant's deliveries entrance blocked and disrupts the day-to-day running of the business. When the parking space is full, Lime and Forest users leave their bikes on the pavement or down the street, Mr Evangelou said, which he claimed is 'dangerous' for his customers and stops neighbours leaving their garages. As a result of the chaos, Mr Evangelou has even had drivers threaten to stop delivering to him, because of how difficult it is to reach the restaurant. Mr Evangelou, who lives with his wife in nearby Highgate, said: 'The parking spot was put there a few months ago and it has been getting worse and worse ever since. 'Bikes are piling up outside our restaurant and they're not being left in the designated area. Our entrance we use for deliveries is blocked - and drivers can't get our food to us. 'Some have even threatened to not deliver because they can't carry the stuff into the restaurant as the bikes are in the way. 'That can't happen. We have lots of customers. We need our deliveries. 'Some of the bikes get dumped on the pavement which is dangerous for customers. And some are put outside our neighbour's garage. 'He's a doctor. He needs to get out for emergencies and at times hasn't been able to. 'It's frustrating because Camden Council gave us an outdoor space for our restaurant. Why are they ruining it with the bikes? 'Whoever decided this was the place for a parking spot made a bad decision. 'And that's alright. Everyone makes mistakes. But mistakes should be rectified.' The parking space outside Lemonia was brought in back in February after companies like Lime and Forest were criticised for allowing users to leave their bikes anywhere. Now, users have to end their ride in a designated bay, such as the one outside Lemonia. But Mr Evangelou said that other businesses shouldn't be punished as a result. He said: 'This designated parking area is in the wrong place. It should not be outside a restaurant. But it also shouldn't be moved and just impact a different business. 'Highways teams need to figure out spaces where the bikes can go without disrupting people - such as near traffic light crossings. The parking space outside Lemonia was brought in back in February after companies like Lime and Forest were criticised for allowing users to leave their bikes anywhere 'It shouldn't be that the bike companies benefit and the rest of us get punished. 'The system shouldn't work like that. 'We're considering taking legal action if something isn't done about this.' To make matters worse, a huge bin for nearby flats was also recently placed outside the restaurantwhich has resulted in 'mountains of rubbish' piling up on the street. This, combined with the e-bikes, has left Mr Evangelou concerned about the impact this may have on the reputation of leafy Primrose Hill. Lemonia is popular with locals and celebs alike - with A listers such as Madonna, Harry Styles, Kate Winslet and Matt Smith all reported to have dined there. Mr Evangelou said: 'Name a celebrity - they've been here. I just think the bikes will bring down the atmosphere of the restaurant. 'And is this the image we want to give of Primrose Hill - a popular destination to visit?' Responding to Mr Evangelou's concerns, a Lime spokesperson said: 'We never want our e-bikes to obstruct access for residents or local businesses. 'The recent good weather has seen record demand and trip numbers in Camden, particularly around the borough's popular green spaces and hospitality venues, including in Primrose Hill. 'While it's encouraging to see more people choosing sustainable transport, we understand the frustration when bays become overcrowded. 'We've increased our on-street team working in Camden and are monitoring this location closely to help keep the area accessible for everyone.' Meanwhile, Alex Berwin, head of policy at Forest, added: 'At Forest, we take all reports of any of our e-bikes causing an obstruction extremely seriously, particularly when it inhibits access or obstructs the public highway. 'We are committed to operating a safe and responsible service for our users and the communities we operate in. 'Our Operations team are operative 24/7, and we have a dedicated team of on-foot Guardians in Camden who proactively relocate abandoned e-bikes and tidy parking bays. 'This is in addition to in-app AI technology we have implemented into our app which grades users' end-of-ride photos and can detect when an e-bike is left irresponsibly, and after which we will warn, fine or suspend their account.' A spokesperson for Camden Council said: 'A dockless bike and e-scooter hire bay was installed at this location following a full consultation with residents and local businesses, with the aim to encourage active travel and improve local air quality and reduce carbon emissions. 'We will monitor the use of the bay and work with bike providers to ensure that any excess bikes are removed promptly.'
