Police in Ealing have carried out a major crackdown on illegal e-bikes, seizing ten during an operation in Ealing Broadway on Tuesday (16 September 2025).
The action, codenamed Operation Palkia, took place outside McDonald’s in The Broadway, where officers from the Ealing Broadway Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) stopped riders using illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters.
The crackdown follows mounting public concern over high-powered modified e-bikes which are increasingly used in fast food delivery.
Police say the vehicles are often linked to crime and anti-social behaviour and are a current ward priority.
In a statement, the Metropolitan police said: “These vehicles are commonly used in the commission of many offences such as phone snatch theft and robbery, they are also a common cause of anti-social behaviour. These vehicles are operated by individuals who have not passed any motor vehicle tests and are a real danger for other motorists. Some of these vehicles are capable of 37 mph which could cause serious damage or injury.”
As well as the ten e-bikes, officers seized one car. The Met said the operation was supported by Ealing Council’s parking services, who issued multiple fines for illegal parking.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “This was a police initiative supported by the council’s parking services team, focused on tackling e-bike and phone robbery and the seizing of illegal e-bikes where several fines were issued.
“This was part of the on-going ‘Keeping our town centres safe this summer’ initiative, which has seen notable reductions in priority crimes including theft, robbery and shop-lifting in Ealing town centre.
“We have been working with our partners – the police, businesses, community organisations and resident associations – to proactively address and tackle antisocial behaviour and crime over summer and we have been supporting this initiative in a range of ways, including the use of our extensive CCTV network and patrolling and enforcement resources.”
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