Greater Manchester Police have said they will confiscate any e-scooters being used illegally on roads, pavements and public pathways in the region.
The fresh warning comes in anticipation of many residents receiving e-scooters as gifts over the Christmas holidays.
Whilst e-scooter trials are currently underway in parts of the UK – including one in a designated Salford area – using these vehicles in public actually remains illegal.
GMP said they have seized 21 e-scooters since the start of October and will continue to ‘crackdown’ on riders – prosecuting anyone found operating vehicles without insurance.
Inspector Steve Bryant, from GMP’s Safer Transport Team, said: “We want to ensure that people have the right information when it comes to e-scooters, particularly as many may buy or receive them for Christmas.
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“We are aware that not all sellers make the regulations clear at the point of sale; therefore we will continue to raise awareness so that hard working people do not waste their money on something they cannot currently use.
“To ensure everyone is kept safe on our roads, our officers will be seizing e-scooters used illegally.”
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Wikimedia Commons
Whilst e-scooters are occasionally spotted on roads around Manchester, current legislation states they should only be used on private land with permission.
In October, a group of MPs campaigned for the vehicles to be made legal in public spaces – but with measures to prevent their use on pavements.
The Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman, claimed that the UK is “the last major European economy where e-scooters are still banned to use anywhere except on private land and their use on UK roads is currently illegal.”
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Merriman added: “E-scooters have the potential to become an exciting and ingenious way to navigate our streets and get from place to place. If this gets people out of the car, reducing congestion and exercising in the open air, then even better.
“We support the Government’s desire to include e-scooters in the UK’s transport mix and the current rental trials will provide a crucial evidence base for future legislation.”
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
