Picture: West Mercia Police

A police force is a laughing stock after using a 7.5 tonne pick-up truck to tow away an electric scooter.

Giggling critics asked why the officers didn’t put the scooter in the boot of a police car.

West Mercia Police released a picture of the two-wheeler riding high on the back of the flatbed lorry.

Straightaway Facebook users were commenting on the disparity.

One, David Stokes, said:

“Couldn’t they have just put it in the back of a car instead of wasting money paying for an expensive recovery vehicle to take it away.

“Causing more unnecessary pollution and congestion on Hereford’s busy streets.”

And Antony Price said:

“Couldn’t you guys have just put the thing in a patrol car’s boot?

“That towing truck seems like a massive waste of resource for such a tiny thing.”

Steve Earl said: “What a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“If that was a private company someone would be sacked.

“Fold it up and put it in a car.”

The scooter was confiscated after the user was spotted riding it on public roads.

Hereford Police posted to Facebook:

“E-Scooter seized today in Hereford.

“Please ensure you know the rules…as a motor vehicle, they must comply with various pieces of Road Traffic Legislation.

“You can’t register and tax them because they don’t meet the safety regulations required.

“So, the result is that you simply are not allowed to use them on roads, pavements, or other public places.

“If you do use an E-Scooter in those places you could face prosecution.

“Even if you are given a fixed penalty ticket, riding without insurance attracts a £300 fine and six points on your driving licence.

“If you don’t have a licence, the points would be on it when you apply for one.”