Elderly shopper almost knocked over by hoverboard youngsters inside Newport store
An elderly woman was almost knocked over by children riding hoverboards around a busy Shropshire supermarket.
The accident happened in Waitrose in Newport, where the youngsters were riding around the aisles.
Police today warned that it is against the law to use the machines on public footpaths or roads.
It is also illegal to use them in shops, where people could be injured.
Pc Lee Thomas of West Mercia Police said today: "We are not trying to be killjoys or ruin anyone's fun, but it certainly does appear that a lot of people simply do not know the legal status of these devices.
"We have seen a marked increase in the number of them around Newport and Telford.
"When speaking to the young people using them they have no idea they are technically breaking the law.
"Only Sunday we received a call from one of Newport's supermarkets after two young children kept going in and out of the store and riding round the aisles on two hoverboards - one nearly knocking an elderly lady over.
"We are continuing to receive complaints from pedestrians who are having to jump out of the way of people using these devices, and also have been made aware of people being struck by them.
"However, no formal complaints have yet been received by police.
"Most young people, and indeed their parents who have purchased the device, are under the impression they are simply toys and not motorised vehicles as they are legally defined.
"We are also aware that the majority of responsible retailers are advising people to return or dispose of these items due to major concerns over quality and safety, with an increasing number of them setting on fire around the country."
The hoverboards, also known as self balancing scooters, are treated in law in the same way that segway scooters are.
They are illegal to ride on the pavement in England and Wales and do not meet the legal requirements for a motorised vehicle to be used on public roads.
They can only be used within a home or garden environment or on private land with the landowner's permission.
To report anyone using hoverboards where someone could be hurt, call police on 101.
