A total of 17 penalty charge notices (PCN) were handed out and 19 traffic offence reports were written up across the weekend of Saturday, 17th January, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

The seized e-bikes and mopeds, Credit: Waltham Forest Council

More than 20 vehicles were seized in Walthamstow as part of a crackdown on illegal street bikes.

Thirteen e-bikes and eight mopeds were removed from the town centre by a team made up of Waltham Forest Council and the Metropolitan Police.

A total of 17 penalty charge notices (PCN) were handed out and 19 traffic offence reports were written up across the weekend of Saturday, 17th January.

The council said the action was a response to “long-standing local concerns” around vehicle-related anti-social behaviour and illegal parking in both Hoe Street and High Street, where there is a high concentration of popular takeaways.

Council deputy leader Clyde Loakes, said the operation “came together as a result of ongoing conversations between local residents and council officers” and sent a “strong message to those unwilling to share our roads responsibly”.

“Taking action against inconsiderate road users – including the seizure of illegal and abandoned vehicles – is key to fostering a healthy and functional road sharing culture and is a top priority for residents,” he said.

He added that e-bikes and scooters pose a “major risk” to the riders, pointing to London Fire Brigade data that showed there were at least 181 charger/battery fire call-outs in 2025.

The action prompted an overwhelmingly positive response from residents on social media, with some joking the council hadn’t acted strongly enough: “Just 21? Were you only there for five minutes?”, wrote one local on Facebook.

Liz Biggs, a Green Party candidate for Lea Bridge ward, however criticised the council, saying she found it “hard to cheer for the removal of people’s livelihoods”. Liz continued: “Illegal and dangerous vehicles must be tackled, but when are we going to hold to account the platforms that don’t take any responsibility for making sure their riders are complying with the laws?”

Cllr Loakes said the council “supports calls to compel food delivery platforms to enforce safety standards for drivers”.

Current guidelines, such as those published by Deliveroo, state that e-bike riders should only buy their vehicles from reputable sellers and only use compatible batteries.

Moped riders are given rudimentary safety advice, such as reminders to make themselves visible, wear helmets that fit, and check over their shoulders before manoeuvring.

They are also instructed not to ride their scooters on pavements, which Deliveroo says can be “really dangerous” for pedestrians.

Mehmet Hassan, senior parking manager at the council, said it was “not a one-off event” and called the collaboration between the Met and Waltham Forest Council’s parking services and antisocial behaviour teams “bread-and-butter partnership work”.

Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, non-compliant vehicles can be taken away and the owner fined through a PCN.

The vehicle will either be recycled or auctioned off if the owner fails to pay the fine and claim it within 42 days.

Councils can only issue PCNs for offences such as parking on double yellow lines or across someone’s driveway.

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