This has increased since Santa did his rounds at Christmas.

Some of these e-scooters can reach speeds in excess of 30mph, although most average about 15mph.

This is a dangerous speed not only for the rider, who in most circumstances does not have any protective clothing on, but also for anyone who they may end up colliding with.

They appear to be used by a wide variety of people, from young children to adults.

While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it is currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK. This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres or promenades.

The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land, with the agreement of the landowner.

In some parts of the UK, there are Government trials where you can use an electric scooter on a road only if it is rented from a designated company. There are no such trials in East Lothian.

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E-scooters are currently classified as personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs), so they are treated as motor vehicles and are subject to the same legal requirements as any other motor vehicle, requiring insurance, a valid driving licence and compliance with various construction and use requirements.

This issue always encourages a healthy debate on their use and many people argue that e-bicycles can be used on a roadway and so why not e-scooters?

Electric bicycles are defined as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) and can be used on a road or public place as long as they meet certain requirements and the rider is at least 14 years old.

These bicycles are not classed as motor vehicles, so don’t require insurance and the rider does not need a driving licence. Additionally, they are exempt from having to be registered or require vehicle tax. EAPCs are not allowed to be used on a pavement.

If you have recently purchased an e-scooter for yourself or your children then please research where you are able to legally use it; because if it is seen on any road or public place, my officers will have no choice other than to consider seizing the e-scooter and the circumstances could result in a report being sent to the Procurator Fiscal.