THE public are not behind Essex Police's struggle to keep on top of the rise of illegally ridden e-scooters, a police chief has said.

Acting Chief Inspector Martin Richards says the force could be out of step with people's wishes by clamping down on illegally-ridden e-scooters.

Essex has seen an explosion in the number of e-scooters but only those run by companies licensed as part of government trials are legal to be driven on the public highway.

Acting Ch Insp Richards, who was responding to concerns raised at a regional council meeting, said: "I share your frustration but the bottom line is I have to work in the guidance that is proportionate and given to me.

"If we are talking about children on e-scooters then for me we follow the guidance which is we take the scooter and the child home and we have a conversation with the parents.

"But we police by consent. And the consent of the community is not behind Essex Police on children using e-scooters and I am very frustrated that that is the case."

In June Essex Police launched an initiative aimed at owners and riders of privately-owned e-scooters used in public areas.

By educating riders and encouraging them not to use privately-owned e-scooters in a public area, Essex Police said it hoped that the number of e-scooters being used illegally, and any perceived antisocial behaviour, will be reduced.

Acting Ch Insp Richards said: "The community is not behind us on this. I am not saying the people in this room are not behind us but the bottom line is I need to get the parents.

"Most of the scooters are being used by youths. I need to get the buy-in from the parents. We are going to the schools, having conversations with schools, we are putting a lot of literature out there.

"We are pleading with parents on our Facebook and on our social media and the backlash we are getting is 'go and do something else'."