E-bikes seized by police sold on at auction, BBC finds
By Luke Mintz, BBC News
E-bikes seized by police forces in the UK are being sold on at auction, despite concerns they might fall into the hands of criminals, according to a BBC investigation.
Thousands are impounded annually due to suspected illegal use or involvement in crimes, with most eventually destroyed. However, a significant number are being sold to the public via online auctions.
Across the UK, police sold 161 e-bikes in 2023 and 54 in 2024, though the actual figure could be higher as not all forces responded to the BBC's Freedom of Information request.
While some forces have stopped the practice, others defend it as a means to "put money back into policing."
Six forces confirmed selling seized e-bikes, including West Midlands Police and Police Scotland, which reported selling 93 e-bikes in 2023, the most of any force.
The BBC discovered listings for e-bikes "sold at direction of police," including electrically-assisted pedal cycles and electric motorbikes.
E-bikes have sparked controversy due to perceived links to crime and anti-social behavior, with recent reports highlighting instances of balaclava-clad riders intimidating residents on footpaths. Tragically, an 86-year-old grandmother, Gloria Stephenson, was killed in Sunderland last year by an illegal e-motorbike at a zebra crossing.
Police Scotland recycles seized e-bikes, which may then be auctioned, with proceeds returning to the force. West Yorkshire Police and West Mercia Police also sold e-bikes, with the latter stating they will no longer do so.
Some forces, like Durham Constabulary and West Mercia Police, have also sold e-scooters, which are illegal for private use on public property.
Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, advocates for police forces to stop selling e-bikes, claiming they are favored by drug gangs due to their elusiveness.