Thames Valley Police
Chief Constable John Campbell QPM
Headquarters
Oxford Road
Kidlington
Oxfordshire
OX5 2NX
Nathan Soper
Telephone: 101
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxxxxx.xx
Our ref:
HQ/PA/001299/21
Your ref:
15 April 2021
Dear Mr Soper,
I write in response to the above-referenced Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
submitted on 23 March 2021. Thames Valley Police has now considered this request,
which for clarity, has been repeated below:
Request
Response
Dear Thames Valley Police,
This request is being refused under
https://www.gov.uk/government/publication
Section 12(1) of the FOIA.
s/powered-transporters/information-sheet-
guidance-on-powered-transporters The
Section 12 of the FOIA allows that
government websites states: "The
public authorities do not have to comply
definition of "motor vehicle" as set out in
with section 1(1) of the Act if the cost of
the Road Traffic Act 1988 is "any
complying would exceed the
mechanically propelled vehicle intended or
appropriate limit. In accordance with
adapted for use on roads". There is case
the Freedom of Information Act, this
law confirming that powered transporters
letter represents a Refusal Notice for
fall within this definition... Failures to
this request.
comply with these rules are criminal
offences for which users can be arrested
This information is not held in an easily
and prosecuted." The law defines electric
retrievable format and would require a
scooters as "powered transporters"
manual search and review of thousands
1. I would like to request the number of of individual records. There is no
offences reported and prosecuted of specific field for “powered transporters”
use of "powered transporters" in the on our crime recording system,
Thames Valley Area in the last 12
therefore to determine this would
months.
require a manual review of each
2. Additionally, "It is an offence to use
relevant report. This will exceed the
powered transporters on the
appropriate 18 hour time and £450 cost
pavement. By section 72, Highway
limit.
Act 1835 it is an offence to ride on,
Section 16:- Further advice &
or to lead or draw a carriage on a
assistance
www.thamesvalley.police.uk
Thames Valley Police
Chief Constable John Campbell QPM
pavement. This rule applies almost
Thames Valley Police cannot further
all vehicles, with special legal
advise how this information might be
exceptions for mobility scooters and retrieved within the constraints.
wheelchairs". Again, how many
However, you may wish to dramatically
offences of this nature have been
reduce the scope and timeframe of your
reported in the last 12 months?
request, for instance, a week of your
3. This webpage also mentions "If you
choosing. This may increase the
use an e-scooter illegally, you could
likelihood of data being returned within
face a fine and penalty points on
the constraints.
your licence, and the e-scooter
could be impounded" Please tell me
for the last 12 months, on how
many occasions have penalty points
been issued and how many "e-
scooters" have been impounded.
Complaint Rights
If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision made by Thames
Valley Police, you can lodge a complaint with the force to have the decision reviewed
within two months of the date of this response. Complaints should be made in writing
to the FOI inbox; xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxxxxx.xx.
If, after lodging a complaint with Thames Valley Police, you are still unhappy with the
outcome, you may make application to the Information Commissioner at the
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire,
SK9 5AF.
If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Yours sincerely
Ruth Anderson
Public Access
Joint Information Management Unit