Police seize e-bikes used for drug offences

Melksham Police have seized three e-bikes that were being used in drug offences in the town.

The bikes were seized over a two-day period, with the riders caught by Melksham Neighbourhood Police Team with assistance from Wiltshire Police’s Response Team and Drone Unit.

Two Surron e-bikes were seized on 28th March, and the riders were arrested for dangerous driving and possession of Class B drugs.

Police said the riders were linked to a residential address in Melksham where further evidence of drug supply was found. The tenant of this address has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

The following day, on 29th March, another e-bike rider was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Sgt Rutter said, “Thank you to the Melksham community for supplying us with the information required to catch these criminals. The public are fed up of seeing these bikes being ridden dangerously and unlawfully, and we will ensure we maintain our momentum in bringing them to justice.

“We do not want drugs on our streets or the dangerous activities and antisocial behaviour that is so intrinsically linked to drugs.”

Wiltshire Police launched a campaign last year, Operation Jetsom, designed to crack down on illegal e-bikes and scooters following numerous complaints about the vehicles being driven dangerously and used in criminal activity and antisocial behaviour.

The operation aims to remove unsafe vehicles from the streets, protect the public and educate riders on the law. Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride in public unless part of a trial rental scheme, while e-bikes that exceed legal power or speed limits are treated as motor vehicles and require a licence, MOT, tax and insurance.