Police Can Now Seize Your Bike Without a Warning: BMF Explains the New Section 59 Rules
A significant change to police powers relating to the seizure of vehicles came into force earlier this year in England and Wales.
There has been some confusion among motorbike riders as to the extent of the new police powers and concern that the police themselves may in some circumstances be interpreting the new legislation incorrectly. The following advice is designed to clarify the current position, whilst setting out what riders can do to ensure they do not fall foul of the new powers of seizure.
The key change is that since 29 June 2026, police officers no longer have to give a warning before seizing a vehicle under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. The change was introduced through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and is intended to give police stronger powers to intervene immediately where vehicles, including motorbikes, are being used in an anti-social manner, including careless or inconsiderate driving, street racing and illegal off-roading.
