A “PURGE” on illegal e-scooters should see them seized and scrapped to prevent yobs wreaking havoc by whizzing through town centres and endangering residents.

Basildon’s Independent group leader Kerry Smith is calling for a major crackdown on the use of unlicensed and illegal e-scooters which he claims have sparked “hundreds” of complaints from his residents.

An e-scooter rental scheme is in place across Basildon allowing people to rent and use the vehicles, however Mr Smith claims the use of private e-scooters is causing havoc and terrifying residents.

Privately owned e-scooters are banned under Basildon Council’s public space protection order and users can be hit with fines, but Mr Smith is urging council leader Gavin Callaghan to write to Essex Police and increase a clampdown.

He has called for the vehicles to be “seized, scrapped and recycled”.

“This would be about putting pressure on to get police to turn up to Basildon town centre, get illegal e-scooters and recycle them and seize them from being on the public highway,” he added.

“They have no regard for other people, and I get complaints from the disabled and people not firm on their legs, they are a menace.

“There are so many complaints, and I have dealt with them against the illegal ones, where they drive recklessly, and the trial scooters.”

As part of Mr Smith’s motion, he is calling for a 10-week consultation regarding the e-scooter trial and will question if residents south of the A127 wish for the trial to end or continue – while Billericay and Wickford residents will be asked if it should come to their towns.

Mr Smith believes consultation will cause a split of opinion but will be cheaper than carrying out a full-scale referendum on if the scooter trial should stay or go.

He said: “The trial scooters are dumped everywhere, and I want just a standard council consultation, not politically biased, asking questions of whether or not you like them or should they be extended to Billericay.

“We will go with the public decision, if they think that is good, then that is democratic but if not, maybe it ends in Basildon town and carries on in Billericay and we will leave it at that.

“For the illegal scooters, at least they aren’t dumped, they go through the town centre at high speed and are a total pain.”