A POLICE Sergeant has reminded the public that 'ignorance is not an excuse' when it comes to rules around e-scooter use.
Freedom of information data obtained by the Leader shows the number of e-scooters seized by North Wales Police over the past two years in the county of Wrexham.
According to the data, four of the vehicles were seized over that time - all four seizures happening in 2021.
The Leader has reported numerous times over the last 12 months on work by Wrexham's town centre police team to educate the public about the rules surrounding e-scooters.
READ MORE: E-scooter seized from adult in Wrexham
One of the officers driving the campaign forward is Wrexham Town Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant David Smith, who following the release of the FOI figures said: "We have had a few high profile campaigns raising awareness about this, and it has provided a lot of education to people.
"We were very aware that people had a misunderstanding of what the legislation was and out aim was to raise awareness and enforce."
Sgt Smith previously told the Leader many people buy the scooters under the presumption that they can be used anywhere - including on roads, pavements and in public spaces.
And while some areas in the UK have seen trials allowing people to use them under the correct circumstances, such a scheme does not apply to North Wales - making them illegal to use unless on private land, with the landowner's consent.
Speaking of the four seizures last year, Sgt Smith said: "Hopefully this is a reflection of the awareness we have raised in partnership with Wrexham Council, who funded the signage in the town centre.
READ MORE: E-scooters prohibited - new signs installed across Wrexham town centre
"I'd like to reiterate that they can't be used in North Wales .
"We're not here to ruin people's fun and we understand the benefit they could possibly have for the environment, but in our force area area at the moment they can't be used.
"We will enforce to protect people - it's for your benefit and that of the wider community.
"There has been a high profile campaign about this so the information out there - people can't really use ignorance as an excuse."
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