ELECTRIC bikes are set to be banned in Basildon Town Centre in a bid to clampdown on yobs terrorising shoppers and business owners.

According to council leader Gavin Callaghan, the ban on e-bikes will help make the town centre safer after reports of residents “having their bags stolen and their phones snatched”.

The public space protection order already bans the use e-scooters, mopeds, and quad bikes on the town centre but the use of e-bikes has grown in popularity and there has been a spike in them “being ridden anti-socially”.

Councillors will debate the expansion of the public space protection order on Thursday and if agreed anyone on an e-bike could be slapped with a fine.

Mr Callaghan stressed the importance of taking the right measures to improve the “safety and experience” in the town centre.

He said: “I think anything leading to anti-social behaviour or causing problems needs to be looked at. We want to make our town centre safer.

“We hear a lot of issues about dirt bikes and e-scooters being used in the town centre. Some people don’t feel safe if there are people riding around on pavements because it makes them open to injury.

“We have also heard of people having their bags stolen and their phones snatched. We want to be tough on this.

“Part of the work of this administration is to improve the safety and experience in the town centre, whether they are coming in for work, retail or shopping and leisure. This is part of our promise to improve the town centre.”

The proposal could see the popular vehicles added to the existing prohibitions within the protection order which includes cars, mopeds and quad bikes.

The council report says the ban is necessary after reports of the anti-social use of the vehicles throughout the borough contributing to residents feeling “unsafe and distressed.”

The council also fear that the increasing popularity of e-bikes will cause an increase in this type of behaviour and negatively affect the “perception and fear” of crime.

If approved, the order will give police “additional powers” to tackle the use of the vehicles, as currently the only option for officers is to seize them.