Three PCSOs gaze into fancy patisserie window – missing e-scooter rider on pavement behind them

Those cakes make an arresting sight! Three PCSOs gaze hungrily into fancy patisserie window – missing the e-scooter rider on the pavement behind them

  • Officers appeared distracted by the cakes at Belle Epoque Patisserie in Islington
  • While e-scooters may be common sight in London, you cannot ride on pavement
  • A gastropub chef said he spotted three PSCOs admiring baked goods yesterday

Three PCSOs were pictured gazing hungrily into a fancy patisserie window while an e-scooter rode on the pavement behind them.

The officers appeared distracted by the cakes yesterday at Belle Epoque Patisserie in Islington, north London

While e-scooters may be a common sight in the capital, it is illegal to use a privately owned one and you cannot ride on the pavement. 

Gastropub chef David Morgan, 32, said he spotted the police community support officers admiring the baked goods on Wednesday morning.  

The e-scooter rider can be seen wearing a high-vis vest while riding past the three PCSOs in Islington, London, who are huddled with their backs turned while looking into the window

Belle Epoque is a high-class patisserie which also has boutiques in Selfridges and Newington Green, offering a selection of macaroons, tarts, celebration cakes and freshly made danishes. 

The e-scooter rider can be seen wearing a high-vis vest while riding past the three PCSOs, who are huddled with their backs turned while looking into the window.

According to the Department for Transport (Dft), e-scooters are classed as ‘powered transporters’ and meet the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’.

They must therefore meet a number of requirements in order to be used on the road, including having insurance and conforming to ‘technical standards.’

Privately owned e-scooters are considered illegal to use on roads in Britain. 

The Metropolitan Police has said riders risk being fined or even having penalty points added to their licence. Riders also risk having their e-scooters seized by police.

The high-class patisserie's shop window in Islington, pictured above. Belle Epoque also has boutiques in Selfridges and Newington Green,

The high-class patisserie’s shop window in Islington, pictured above. Belle Epoque also has boutiques in Selfridges and Newington Green,

The patisserie in London offers a selection of macaroons, tarts, celebration cakes and freshly made danishes

The patisserie in London offers a selection of macaroons, tarts, celebration cakes and freshly made danishes

The DfT said e-scooters are covered by the 1988 Road Traffic Act, which also includes Segways, hoverboards, go-peds (combustion engine-powered kick scooters), powered unicycles, and u-wheels.

The ban does not apply to electrically-assisted pedal bicycles and privately owned e-scooters can be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.  

In July last year the Government introduced legislation trialling the use of e-scooters, through local authorities, for a period of 12 months via approved rental companies. The vehicles are capped at 15.5mph. 

Around 20 locations are involved in the trial. Privately owned e-scooters cannot be used in the trial areas.