Crushed e-bikes and e-scooters are forming the frontline in a new effort to cut crime and anti-social behaviour.
Southampton-based Silverlake Automotive Recycling is helping police in Sussex and Dorset by destroying illegally used and seized vehicles, ensuring they cannot return to the streets.
Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, said: "It was fascinating seeing first-hand the work that Silverlake does to safely process and destroy dangerous and criminally-linked vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
"I was particularly reassured to note how closely their work supports the efforts of Sussex Police in disrupting criminal activity and ensuring that vehicles used in crime are permanently removed from our roads."
Silverlake Automotive Recycling is helping police in Sussex and Dorset by destroying illegally used and seized vehicle (Image: Silverlake)
The vehicles, taken from the streets as part of targeted police operations, include e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and e-scooters that have been used illegally or pose a danger to the public.
Many of these vehicles have been linked to offences such as phone snatching and anti-social behaviour, and are often modified to exceed legal speed and power limits.
Recent changes under the Crime and Policing Act 2026 have strengthened police powers, allowing officers to seize vehicles being used anti-socially without needing to issue a prior warning.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: "Seeing these e-scooters and illegal e-bikes being crushed sends a clear message: if you use these vehicles illegally, you risk having them seized and destroyed."
Silverlake operates an Authorised Treatment Facility and is monitored by the Environment Agency.
Allen Prebble, managing director at Silverlake Automotive Recycling, said: "At Silverlake, we greatly value our strong and collaborative relationships with both Sussex Police and Dorset Police.
"Working as partners, we’ve been able to support their vital efforts in promoting public safety and tackling crime, while showcasing the importance of responsible vehicle recycling.
"We're proud to play our part in contributing to these initiatives that help to keep people safe, by responsibly depolluting and crushing the seized vehicles to ensure they cannot end up back on the road, or in the hands of criminal gangs to use for repeated criminal activity."
The partnership highlights the role of environmental responsibility in supporting public safety and crime prevention.
