Officers have called for more powers to deal with masked e-bike hooligans, as parents are warned against buying them as Christmas presents.
The organisation representing rank-and-file officers wants more power to stop and search people wearing masks, and to order face coverings to be removed.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) made the intervention as antisocial behaviour linked to often illegally-modified versions of the devices and masked riders has risen.
Parents in one local authority in Scotland have been warned of the safety and legal risks posed by e-bikes and e-scooters, in case they are considering buying them as Christmas presents.
It comes as Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee announced it is carrying out an inquiry into crime and antisocial behaviour associated with the devices.
It is illegal to ride e-scooters on roads, pavements, or cycle paths, or in public parks or other public areas.They are only legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Police warn most e-bikes are too powerful to qualify as an electrically-assisted pedal cycle and instead fall under laws for motorcycles and mopeds, requiring a licence and insurance.
“The increased antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters has been a real concern for communities in Scotland and a real challenge for the police to deal with,” said SPF chair David Threadgold.
“The number of options the police have to deal with people who are riding these types of vehicles dangerously is extremely limited.”
He said police need the power to stop and require people wearing face coverings to remove them.
“The risk presented to the public and to police officers trying to stop it means we have to deal with this very quickly,” he added.
On the issue of parents buying their children the vehicles for Christmas, he said: “Parents need to be aware of the risks attached to buying any motorised vehicle.
“There are very clear conditions about where and when these things can be legally used.
“The challenge comes more when these things become modified past the speed limit.”
“The risk presented to the public and to police officers trying to stop it means we have to deal with this very quickly”
David Threadgold, SPF chairman
The number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by Police Scotland has more than doubled in under a year.
As of October 25, the force had confiscated more than 1,000 of these vehicles in 2026 – 660 e-bikes and 484 e-scooters.
The previous year 373 e-bikes and 196 e-scooters were seized.
The figures were released following a week of action under Operation Overlap, aimed at removing these vehicles from the roads.
In Fife, drones have been used to track offenders and trace where the vehicles are being stored.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray has said the Scottish Government is considering creating exclusion zones for face coverings, based on measures in force in Nottingham.
Meanwhile, parents across Inverclyde have been warned about the risks of buying their children e-bikes or e-scooters for Christmas.
An email from the Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership said: “With Christmas approaching, we recognise that e-scooters and electric bikes may be considered as gifts for children and young people.
“We would therefore like to take this opportunity to remind parents about the significant safety and legal issues associated with these vehicles.”
The partnership warned “what may appear to be a toy or recreational item can, in many cases, be treated in law as a motor vehicle”.
The email highlighted that legal action can be taken against parents who allow a child to use an illegal motor vehicle.
Various campaigns have taken place across the country, including Operation Armour in Aberdeen, resulting in e-bikes being seized and dozens of people being charged.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “As we’ve seen in Aberdeen the police can have success with dedicated operations and resources.
“We need to see this now on a wider scale and replicated across the country.
“This is an emerging problem which creates misery for communities, and we need to give police what they need to get on top of it.
“I hope both the UK and Scottish governments can work together to do just that.”
Superintendent Andy Barclay, Police Scotland’s deputy head of road policing, said: “We know this is a growing issue across Scotland and this week of action shows how seriously we are taking it.
“We are very clear that illegally modified e-bikes are dangerous and not suitable for the public road. They pose a risk to their own riders, the emergency services, and other road users, particularly pedestrians.
“We also want to make sure that people are aware of the legislation and their personal responsibilities if using an e-bike or e-scooter.
“Please be mindful of where you can and can’t use vehicles of this type, and take responsibility for your own actions and the safety of other road users.”
