Petrol scooters are expected to top many children's Christmas wish lists

Lothian and Borders Police say powered scooters such as Go-Peds are classed as motor vehicles, even though they are often sold as toys.

That means they can only be taken onto the road by over-16s with a licence, road tax and insurance.

It is also illegal to ride them on the pavement or without safety headgear.

Under-16s should stick to private land and make sure they have the permission of the landowner.

The force said it was concerned that many parents may be caught unawares by the craze for power scooters, which are expected to be at the top of many children's wishlists.

We make sure we have a good chat with the parents before we send the scooter and we include a safety sheet with all the facts Dave Moore Petrol Scooters UK

Sergeant David Gordon, of Lothian and Borders traffic police, said: "For many kids, scooters will be the first thing on their Christmas list this year.

"We urge parents to practice caution and commonsense when buying their kids one of these and to make sure that the kids wear safety helmets and stay within the law."

Dave Moore, owner of Petrol Scooters UK, which imports Go-Peds from the USA, said his company made it clear to parents that scooters should only be ridden on private land with appropriate safety gear.

But he said that "inferior" versions of the popular scooter were being sold at market stalls without any such safeguards.

Road regulations

"They shouldn't be used on the road because they don't conform to the UK regulations for motorised vehicles," he said.

"We're an internet-based mail order firm, but we make sure we have a good chat with the parents before we send the scooter and we include a safety sheet with all the facts.

"The problem is there are other models on sale which are fitted with lights and indicators and made to look roadworthy. That's what the police really need to clamp down on."

The call comes a week after a 13-year-old boy was given six penalty points to be added to his licence for riding a scooter on the pavement near his home in Teesside.

Sergeant Gordon said: "The case should be taken as a warning to parents that police across the UK are taking this very seriously.

"From a safety point of view, these machines can be very fast and dangerous for both the rider and pedestrians. Please be responsible this Christmas."