Hampshire hospital had over 500 e-scooter injuries in last five years

Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth reported 524 incidents between March 2021 and July 2026, including 408 emergency department visits and 116 inpatient admissions.

The figures, released through a Freedom of Information request, do not distinguish between incidents involving privately owned e-scooters and those from authorised rental schemes.

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Councillor Lee Hunt, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: "The government has really got to sort out legislation around e-scooters both on the shared scheme and the illegal scooters.

"They need to regulate the industry, because they're not going to put it back in the box.

"It's only a matter of time before someone in Portsmouth is killed."

Cllr Hunt called for regulations covering helmets, mirrors, warning signals, MOTs, insurance and other safety requirements.

He said he has raised the issue with police and crime commissioner Donna Jones, who acknowledged the growing problem.

Mrs Jones said the figures were "alarming and are the direct consequence of years of government inaction.

She added: "I have repeatedly written to successive Secretaries of State calling for clarity on the law, but ministers have failed to address the confusion surrounding privately owned e-scooters and e-bikes.

"Many of these vehicles are capable of significant speeds and can be extremely intimidating for pedestrians, particularly older people, those with disabilities and families with young children."

She highlighted that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary seized and destroyed more than 500 illegal e-scooters and e-bikes over the past year, but argued a national approach is essential.

Mrs Jones said: "Better national legislation, stronger public education and clearer guidance is urgently required."

The dangers of e-scooter use became clear in June 2021, when 19-year-old George McGowan died following a collision with a car while riding his e-scooter in Paulsgrove.

He suffered catastrophic head injuries and died 10 days later.

In 2021, there were six e-scooter-related inpatient admissions at Queen Alexandra Hospital, rising to 10 in 2022, 22 in 2024, and 43 in 2025.

In just the first seven months of 2026, there have already been 30 admissions.