Dark nights rolled in quickly this evening.

🌅 After a much brighter day, the dark nights rolled in quickly this evening.

A big thank you to the lady who shared her brilliant poem about the potholes — I’m sure our colleagues in Highways will appreciate it! Hopefully you get some luck reporting those local issues soon.
👣 Plenty of groups were out and about tonight, no doubt encouraged by the better weather. Most people were behaving well, and it was great to chat with so many of you during my walks — thank you to everyone who stopped to speak with me.

🚲 A reminder regarding the 5 Pits Trail:

We are continuing to monitor the area along with individuals we know regularly use e‑bikes and e‑scooters. Please be aware:
👉 We will confiscate these if they are being ridden on a public highway or public path, as the law requires.

⚠️ E‑Scooter Laws — Derbyshire & UK
🔸 Private e‑scooters:

Illegal to use on public roads, pavements, cycle paths, or any public land.
Legal only on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Police can seize vehicles under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Riders may face fines, penalty points, or prosecution.

🔸 Rental e‑scooters:

Legal only in approved government trial areas (e.g., some parts of Derby).
Must follow the rules of the trial scheme.

⚡ Electric Bike (EAPC) Laws
To be classed as a legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC), a bike must:

Have pedals that can be used to propel it.
Have a motor with a maximum output of 250W.
Cut off electrical assistance at 15.5 mph (25 km/h).

If it meets these rules:

No licence, insurance, or tax is required.
Riders must be 14 or older.

🚨 If the bike exceeds these limits (e.g., no pedals, higher wattage, or capable of higher speeds), it becomes a motor vehicle in law — requiring:

Registration
Insurance
Tax
A valid licence
And it must not be ridden on trails or public paths.

Thanks again to everyone I saw tonight.

PCSO Ashton