ACT Policing seized two vehicles for dangerous driving after crowds converged in various locations across Canberra on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police closed the northern end of Lonsdale Street in both directions about 7pm to disperse a growing crowd for public safety reasons and to reduce disruption to businesses.
Videos posted on social media show men spinning the wheels of Beam and Neuron e-scooters to create a burnout effect as crowds watch.
The street was closed for two hours and was reopened after the crowds had left the area.
Police say crowds gathered a short time later at a service station at the intersection of Yallourn Street and Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick as cars began doing burnouts.
Police seized two vehicles and stopped others from entering the area. The crowd later dispersed.
A crowd then gathered near Tralee Street in Hume but quickly dispersed as police turned vehicles around.
Another large crowd gathered at a service station on Monaro Highway in Hume. A member of the crowd set off a firework in the service station.
The incidents follow similar unofficial Summernats-style cruises in Braddon and Fyshwick on Friday night.
A spokesperson from Neuron said their e-scooters were fitted with registration plates and were GPS-connected to log every trip to help identify anyone behaving irresponsibly.
"The vast majority of our riders are using the service in a responsible and safe manner however there are always a small number of exceptions," the spokesperson said.
"For minor issues we generally try to reeducate our riders, however for those that continually break the rules, or have been found to have ridden dangerously, we ban them from the service completely."
READ MORE:
Detective Inspector Adrian Craft said he was disappointed at the drivers who put lives at risk.
Investigations into these incidents are continuing and police anticipate charges will be laid.
Anyone with information, dash-cam or phone footage that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 6711555. Information can be provided anonymously.