POLICE have seized and destroyed an illegally adapted electric motorcycle following a spate of complaints in Amesbury.

In a statement, Wiltshire Police said neighbourhood and response officers had received numerous reports of anti-social riding in the town centre, Archers Gate and Kings Gate.

The rider was reported to have mounted pavements, ridden through retail outlets, abused pedestrians and narrowly missed members of the public.

Officers stopped the bike in the Central Car Park last week after spotting it being ridden through the town centre. It was found not to be road compliant and had been illegally adapted.

The vehicle was seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance and has since been destroyed.

Police have reiterated that privately owned e-scooters and unregistered electric motorcycles cannot currently be insured for use on public roads or in public spaces.

The action has sparked debate on social media. Mickey Kyrle claimed bikes are “everywhere” near Pinewood Way, adding that closing local stations creates a “catch-22”.

Others welcomed the move. Sarah Parker wrote: “Good they are a menace,” while Peter Newton commented: “One down – yet there are plenty more of these flying around Amesbury at speed!”

Roger Hare urged officers to “try catching the electric scooter that whizz’s around with no lights and dressed all in black”.