Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Vikki Slade Excerpts
Monday 31st March 2025

(3 days, 10 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Yvette Cooper Portrait Yvette Cooper
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I agree with my hon. Friend and I am sorry to hear about the appalling incident he describes. This is a challenge for us in many of our constituencies. My constituents in Airedale and Chequerfield see the total nightmare of off-road bikes being driven deliberately to harass people. If we have to wait for the police to give multiple warnings, they cannot take the swift action needed, which is why we need the change in the Bill.

Vikki Slade Portrait Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)
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My constituent Peter from Corfe Mullen has had numerous run-ins with e-scooters and off-road bikes. What consideration is the Home Secretary giving to the redefinition of electric bike so that it is genuinely an electric bike?

Yvette Cooper Portrait Yvette Cooper
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The hon. Member is right that there are many different forms and changes to the kinds of vehicles, bikes and scooters being used. The legislation applies not just to off-road bikes, but more widely to vehicles being used antisocially. That is important because the police need to be able to act swiftly and not end up having to try to chase and catch the same people again and again to take action.