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British police forces sold at least 161 seized electric bikes and motorcycles in 2025, even though thousands of such vehicles are confiscated annually over suspected illegal use or links to crime.
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Reports found that some seized vehicles are being put back on the market through online auctions. Police Scotland accounted for 93 of the vehicles sold, while West Midlands Police sold 12 and West Yorkshire Police sold two.
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The sales have triggered concern that vehicles taken off the streets could find their way back into criminal hands. Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw warned that offenders could potentially buy seized vehicles through auction websites and illegally modify otherwise compliant e-bikes.
September 26, (THEWILL) – British police forces are selling some electric bikes seized from suspected offenders at public auctions, raising concerns that vehicles removed from the streets over suspected illegal use or criminal activity could eventually return to circulation.
In UK, Government rules permit qualifying e-bikes to be ridden without registration, tax or insurance, but a bike capable of being propelled by its motor beyond 15.5mph or equipped with a motor exceeding 250 watts falls outside the legal EAPC category.
In 2025, the force recorded hundreds of e-bike seizures across its policing divisions, including 221 in Greater Glasgow and 87 in Edinburgh.
A BBC investigation found that police forces across the UK sold 161 e-bikes and electric motorcycles in 2025, compared with 54 in 2024. The actual number could be higher because not all forces responded to the BBC’s Freedom of Information requests.
The investigation identified six forces that confirmed selling seized e-bikes, including Police Scotland and West Midlands Police.
Police Scotland recorded the largest number, with 93 seized e-bikes sold last year. The force said it sends confiscated vehicles to an accredited recycler, which may subsequently auction them, with proceeds returned to policing.
West Midlands Police sold 12 e-bikes in 2025, saying the “vast majority” of seized bikes were destroyed and only a small number were sold through an independent auction company to generate money for policing.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed that two seized e-bikes were sold. It said the vehicles were legally compliant and proceeds were shared with the force and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with some of the money going towards local good causes.
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But critics argue that the practice sends a contradictory message, particularly as police forces are simultaneously warning about the criminal and public-safety risks associated with illegally modified e-bikes.
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw urged forces to stop selling the vehicles, arguing that e-bikes and scooters have increasingly become associated with drug gangs because of their speed and difficulty of detection.
Grunshaw also raised the possibility that criminals whose vehicles had been confiscated could attempt to purchase them again through auction platforms. His concern extends beyond vehicles originally seized from criminals. He warned that legally compliant e-bikes purchased at auction could subsequently be modified to increase their speed and power, putting them back into illegal use.
Durham Constabulary, which sold 29 e-bikes last year, said following a review of its policy, seized e-bikes “will now be crushed without exception.” West Mercia Police, which sold 24 e-bikes and one e-scooter in 2025, has also ended the sale of seized e-bikes and e-scooters.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
