The BBC found that some e-bikes and e-scooters seized by UK police have been sold at online auctions rather than destroyed, raising fears they could be reacquired by criminals. Forces reported selling 161 e-bikes last year and 54 so far in 2024, with Police Scotland alone accounting for 93 sales. Critics warn that legally compliant bikes can be tuned to become illegal and dangerous, while several forces have since reviewed — and in some cases ended — the practice.
BBC Investigation: Seized UK E‑Bikes Sometimes Sold at Auction — Critics Warn They Could Return to Criminals
Two of the bikes recently listed on an auction website used by police [BBC]
The BBC has found that thousands of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by police forces across the UK are sometimes offered for sale at online auctions rather than being destroyed — prompting concerns that some could end up back in criminal hands.
Forces told the BBC they sold 161 e-bikes last year and 54 so far in 2024, although the true totals may be higher because not every force responded to the BBC's Freedom of Information request. The figures cover both electrically assisted pedal cycles (which have motors that assist when a rider pedals) and more powerful electric motorbikes that are driven by their motor alone.
Who Sold What — And Why
Six forces confirmed they had sold seized e-bikes, including major services such as West Midlands Police and Police Scotland. Police Scotland said it sends seized e-bikes to an accredited recycler, which may decide to auction items; last year the force reported selling 93 e-bikes — the highest total disclosed to the BBC. Several forces said money raised from auctions was returned to policing budgets or used for local community projects.
Other forces defended the practice as a way of putting "money back into policing," while some forces have recently reviewed their approaches and stopped selling seized e-bikes and e-scooters.
Concerns and Consequences
Critics warn auctioning seized vehicles risks putting them back into the hands of criminals. Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:
The BBC found listings of e-bikes "sold at direction of police" [BBC]
"There's nowhere apart from [a] back garden that these scooters can be legally used, so it's a confused message."
He and others also warned that criminals might buy legally compliant e-bikes from auctions and later fit illegal "tuning kits" — often sold online — that can increase speeds well above the legal limit. Legally classified electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) are limited to 15.5mph; some tuning kits can boost machines to more than 40mph, turning otherwise lawful bikes into dangerous, illegal motorbikes.
Examples From Forces
Durham Constabulary told the BBC it sold 29 e-bikes last year but has reviewed its policy and says seized bikes "will now be crushed without exception." West Mercia Police reported selling 24 e-bikes and one e-scooter but said it has similarly revised its approach. West Yorkshire Police confirmed two e-bikes were sold and said proceeds were shared with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with some funding local good causes. West Midlands Police said the vast majority of seized bikes are destroyed and a small number were sold via an independent auction company so proceeds could be reinvested into policing.
Where They Appear For Sale
Police forces frequently use commercial auction platforms to dispose of seized vehicles. The BBC found listings labeled "sold at the direction of police" on sites such as Raw2k. One recent listing advertised a Chinese-manufactured electric dirt bike seized from Falkirk with an opening price of £250 — far below a new model's retail price of around £3,295.
Wider Context
E-bikes and e-scooters have become a flashpoint in parts of the UK amid reports of anti-social riding and criminal use. BBC reporting has highlighted groups of riders intimidating residents and incidents where illegal e-motorbikes have been involved in fatalities, including the death of 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson at a zebra crossing in Sunderland.
The BBC's findings have led several forces to review their disposal policies. Where forces continue to sell seized vehicles, they say checks are made to ensure items are legally compliant before sale and that disposal is handled via accredited channels or commercial auction houses.
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