At least three people were hurt in e-scooter crashes in West Mercia last year, new figures have revealed.

Data from the Department of Transport shows three casualties were recorded by West Mercia Police as having been involved in accidents with electric scooters in 2020.

Across Britain, police forces recorded 484 casualties resulting from 460 e-scooter incidents last year.

Of the casualties, 384 were e-scooter riders, with 128 people seriously injured and one killed.

The DfT also warned that many non-fatal casualties may have gone unrecorded nationally because there is no obligation to report such incidents to police forces.

It is currently illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters on public roads outside of Government-backed trials, which began in certain areas last summer.

Worcester is not one of the regions included in the pilot, but nearby Redditch is, meaning different rules apply.

David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said: "The use of e-scooters on public highways and footpaths outside of designated trial areas is illegal.

"Councils and operators are working together in these trial areas to ensure that routes are safe for both users and other members of the public and thereby reduce the chance of injuries."

West Mercia Police has had to deal with numerous incidents involving e-scooters in the past year. 

In February, a banned and uninsured driver failed to stop for police while riding an electric scooter, which led to officers seizing it.

Following a separate incident, officers announced that they were going to crush an e-scooter after the rider was caught illegally riding it on the road.

Police have also had to deal with drink drivers who have been over the limit whilst operating e-scooters.

In June, an intoxicated driver blew over double the legal limit after being stopped by officers on a busy pavement.

E-scooters are classed as personal light electric vehicles, and as such are treated the same as motor vehicles. 

This means that if they are used on a road, pavement, or any public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle which carry the same penalties for breaches of the law.

. Use without insurance - 6 points, £300 fine, seizure of vehicle.

. Use without a licence - penalty points, fine, seizure of vehicle.

. Failing to comply with construction & use legislation - ranging from non-endorsable fixed penalty to being reported to court for using in a dangerous condition.

. Impaired by alcohol/drugs - licence disqualification, fine or penalty points.