A TEENAGER was punched in the face as his E-scooter was stolen - raising concerns that the rise in popularity of the scooters is fuelling crime in Basildon.

The 15-year-old boy was attacked and robbed at roughly 5.30pm on New Year’s Eve in Felmores, Pitsea.

It came just days after Lifestyle and Mobility, in Market Square, was raided and £20,000 worth of stock was taken - including a haul of E-scooters.

Craig Rimmer, Tory councillor for Pitsea South East, “absolutely condemned” the robbery, fearing criminals are targetting E-scooters as they become more popular.

He said: “Whatever is on trend will attract more crime unfortunately. It’s inexcusable, but criminals are unfortunately like shoppers - they will jump on the latest trend.

“They are easy to take as well. It’s bad someone has been punched to take it. With bikes it’s people being pushed off.”

E-scooters, which are privately owned, are illegal to use on public roads and paths as they cannot be insured, so they must only be used on private land.

During the robbery, the boy suffered injuries to his face.

Lifestyle and Mobility was broken into overnight on December 28, with crooks stealing not only e-scooters, but also E-bikes.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating after a teenager was robbed of an electric scooter in Felmores, Pitsea, at 5.30pm on December 31. The 15-year-old was punched by a man described as being aged in his late teens near the Bockingham Green junction. He suffered swelling to his face.

“It was reported to us shortly before 5.55pm and officers carried out a search of the area. Enquiries remain ongoing.

“The scooter is a black Xiamoi 365 with red brake cables and an LCD screen fitted to the handle bars.”

Call 101 quoting 42/213826/20.

A TEENAGER was punched in a face during a robbery where his electric scooter was stolen by a crook.

A manhunt was launched after the 15-year-old boy was attacked at around 5.30pm on New Year’s Eve in Felmores, Pitsea.

The boy suffered injuries to his face.

This is the second e-scooter crime in the Basildon borough within a week.

Lifestyle and Mobility, which sells the scooters and other mobility items in Market Square, was burgled on December 28 where £20,000 worth of stock was stolen.

E-scooters which are privately owned are illegal to use on public roads and paths as they cannot be insured, so they must only be used on private land.

Craig Rimmer, Tory councillor for Pitsea South East, “absolutely condemned” the robbery, saying criminals will target things that are more popular.

He said: “Whatever is on trend will attract more crime unfortunately.

“It’s inexcusable, but criminals are unfortunately like shoppers; they will jump on the latest trend.

“They are easy to take as well. It’s bad someone has been punched to take it. With bikes it’s people being pushed off.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating after a teenager was robbed of an electric scooter in Felmores, Pitsea, at 5.30pm on December 31.

“The 15-year-old was punched by a man described as being aged in his late teens near the Bockingham Green junction. He suffered swelling to his face.

“It was reported to us shortly before 5.55pm and officers carried out a search of the area.

“Enquiries remain ongoing.

“The scooter is a black Xiamoi 365 with red brake cables and an LCD screen fitted to the handle bars.”

Witnesses or anyone who has been offered the scooter for sale is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 42/213826/20.