Ilegal e-bikes seized in Birmingham

The police have launched a nationwide crackdown on illegally modified e-bikes.

They can reach top speeds beyond 30 miles an hour - double the legal limit.

Four were seized in the space of an hour during an operation on Birmingham New Street.

Forces across the country have been stepping up efforts to get them off the streets - over fears they could injure children and the elderly.

7-thousand arrests have been made over the past year.

PC Paige Gartlan told reporters:

"You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it's generally going to be illegal - the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that's on the back wheel," she explains.

PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She's had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.

The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.

Louise Connop, from the Sight Loss Council, said: "There are many obstacles that make it difficult for blind and partially sighted people to navigate our streets independently and safely, such as pavement parking forcing us into the road, overhanging vegetation, tables and chairs blocking walkways and many more.

"E-scooters and e-bikes have added additional barriers because of their high speeds and low noise. We can also be impacted by illegal pavement riding, and inappropriate parking such as in the middle of the pavement which causes trips and falls.

"Birmingham and Black Country Sight Loss Council has been working with West Midlands Police over the last couple of years to raise awareness and education about appropriate parking and safe use of these vehicles. Just making small changes can have a huge positive impact on our ability to live and travel independently."

Council director of regulation and enforcement Sajeela Naseer said: "We're really pleased that we've worked so closely with the police to look at appropriate interventions for the safety concerns in Birmingham city centre relating to cycles, e-bikes and other forms of powered transport.

"Clearly the mix of high speed cycles and pedestrians is not always a good one and we need to ensure that people can cycle safely, but also that pedestrians can go about their businesss knowing that they are not going to potentially be knocked over."

Immigration officials also carried out checks too, during a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year - a 50% increase on last year.