Motion

Tackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use

Motion TitleTackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use

Motion TextThat this Assembly expresses serious concern at the growing impact of scramblers and e-scooters in communities across Northern Ireland, which has caused significant distress, antisocial behaviour, serious injury and, in some cases, loss of life; notes that other jurisdictions have introduced measures to tackle inappropriate use; acknowledges that, when used responsibly and in appropriate settings, such vehicles can have recreational and community benefits; welcomes the success of community and school-based pilot initiatives, delivered in partnership with the PSNI, the Department of Justice, schools and community organisations which have significantly reduced illegal scrambler use; supports legislative changes to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; and calls on the Minister of Justice to urgently expand successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Motion TypeOpposition business

Date Tabled to Business Office13/04/2026

Date Selected By Committee14/04/2026

Date of Plenary Debate21/04/2026

View Official Report

Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Matthew O'Toole	MLA - South Belfast

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

Number	Tabled Date	Amendment Text
1	17/04/2026	Leave out all after ‘illegal scrambler use;’ and insert: ‘calls on the Minister of Justice to provide additional resources for drone teams and drone equipped officers and to introduce legislative changes to emulate Clause 8 of the Crime and Policing Bill, as currently amended, to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles and retain or dispose of these vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; further calls on the Minister to introduce mandatory registration at the point of sale; and calls on the Minister to urgently expand successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland.’

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
17/04/2026	Leave out all after ‘Department of Justice,’ and insert: ‘the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure, schools and community organisations, which have significantly reduced illegal scrambler use; supports legislative changes to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; and calls on the Executive to provide adequate funding to expand the delivery of successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland on a cross-departmental basis.’
17/04/2026	At end insert: ‘further calls on the Minister, working in partnership with district councils and relevant Executive Departments, to introduce measures to prohibit the use of scramblers and e-scooters on council and government-owned land where such use is unsafe, antisocial or unauthorised; and calls on the Executive to provide support to district councils to ensure that they have adequate enforcement powers and clear signage outlining that the unauthorised use of scramblers and e-scooters on council and government-owned land is illegal.’

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

17/04/2026

Leave out all after ‘Department of Justice,’ and insert: ‘the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure, schools and community organisations, which have significantly reduced illegal scrambler use; supports legislative changes to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; and calls on the Executive to provide adequate funding to expand the delivery of successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland on a cross-departmental basis.’

17/04/2026

At end insert: ‘further calls on the Minister, working in partnership with district councils and relevant Executive Departments, to introduce measures to prohibit the use of scramblers and e-scooters on council and government-owned land where such use is unsafe, antisocial or unauthorised; and calls on the Executive to provide support to district councils to ensure that they have adequate enforcement powers and clear signage outlining that the unauthorised use of scramblers and e-scooters on council and government-owned land is illegal.’

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Tackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use

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