A brave police officer took down an e-bike rider after taking a flying leap and knocking him to the ground.

The officer tackled the man, who was riding an illegally-boosted contraption, in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire last week after he evaded attempts to stop him.

The rider had already sped past multiple officers in high-vis as he rode through the city centre last week.

But two plain-clothed officers were waiting as he continued his journey, with one rushing towards the man and launching himself into the air.

He made contact with the rider, causing him and the bike to fall to the ground. 

The bike was later tested and found to be capable of boosting speed to 23mph, when the legal limit is 15.5mph.

Police say the man has been reported for failing to stop, driving without a licence and without insurance. 

Under UK law, anyone over 14 can ride an electric bike, and this can be done without a licence or insurance as long as it complies with speed and power regulations.

These include a maximum power of 250 watts and no electrical assistance beyond 15.5mph. 

If it does not meet these criteria, it must be taxed and insured in the same way a moped or motorcycle would be. 

Police have cracked down on illegal e-bikes with 7,049 confiscated in the 12 months to May 19.

This is almost double the 3,858 taken off the streets the year before. 

Many of the confiscated devices are modified to travel far beyond the e-bike speed limit, with some reportedly exceeding 70mph.