OFFICER'S from Cumbria Police's road policing unit are urging people to understand the law before buying or riding E-scooters in the area.

While the use of rental e-scooters is now legal in some parts of the UK, Cumbria Police are keen to remind people that it remains against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place.

E-scooters have become popular, after the Government permitted the start of trials for rental schemes in July.

However, if privately purchased they are illegal to use on roads, footpaths, cycle tracks/lanes, bridleways, or byways.

They are potentially dangerous to others with some reaching 30mph.

Sergeant Craig Hynes from the Mobile Support Group said: “I would urge anyone who is considering buying an e-scooter for themselves or for their children to think again unless you have private land in which you can use them. "