Police stopped dozens of delivery riders and seized nine e scooters as part of a safety operation in Canterbury.

Community support officers and council traffic wardens took to the St George's Street to clamp down on dangerous riding in the city centre.

A total of 11 fixed penalty notices were handed out by traffic wardens for vehicles parked on double yellow lines.

Officers stopped 30 cyclists, who were transporting food deliveries, and gave them "words of advice for riding in pedestrian areas" during the operation between February 9 and 11.

It comes after a bid was launched last year to ban delivery riders from bombing along the high street on motorcycles or mopeds, amid fears there could be a “nasty accident”.

Lib Dem councillor Michael Dixey wants to put an end to Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats employees weaving through pedestrianised areas across the Canterbury.

Traffic orders state that vehicles “used for the conveyance of goods or merchandise” to and from premises in St Peter’s Street, High Street, the Parade and St George’s Street are allowed to access the routes.

Under the plans, the city council would also press colleagues in County Hall to “tighten” regulations concerning bike-riding on pavements.

Delivery riders - on cycles and motorbikes - will be required to carry “clear identification” to ensure offenders can be fined or hauled in front of magistrates.

Meanwhile, nine e-scooters which were being ridden in an anti-social manner were seized by police on February 11 during the safety operation.

One motorcyclist was stopped and issued with a Section 59 warning for riding in an anti-social manner in a pedestrian zone. If seen doing the same thing again, the bike can be seized.

DS Shelah Thompson, of Canterbury Community Safety Unit, said: "We carried out a similar operation back in December 2021 and have seen a decline in the number of mopeds being ridden around the city in pedestrian zones as a result.

"Whilst on the face of it riding a bicycle in a pedestrian area may seem harmless, it can lead to serious injuries.

"Pedestrian areas of busy cities are there for a reason to protect all road users and the rules should not be ignored.

"E-scooters have become a popular method of travel and there is an approved pilot scheme in place in Canterbury.

"However, anyone using an e-scooter illegally or in a way that causes a nuisance to others faces the prospect of a fine and the scooter being seized.

"Riders must remember they are subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles."

DS Thompson said officers who see an e-scooter being used incorrectly will first try to educate the rider. If they refuse to follow the advice, powers will be used to seize the vehicle.