LBC is reporting that the Metropolitan Police seized 90 vehicles worth more than £8 million during a weekend crackdown on antisocial and dangerous driving across Kensington, Chelsea and Hyde Park, the highest number and value of vehicles seized in the five-year history of the operation.
Among the vehicles taken off the road was a limited edition Ferrari Monza SP2, worth £3.7 million and one of only 499 ever made. The car had been in the UK for less than a day when it was stopped. The driver, who had held the car for less than half an hour, had only a provisional licence and no insurance.
Fifteen of the vehicles were seized under new powers that let police take a car immediately, rather than issue a warning, where it is involved in antisocial behaviour. The operation also led to arrests on suspicion of handling stolen goods and money laundering, possession with intent to supply drugs, causing harassment and distress, and an immigration offence.
Special Chief Inspector Geoff Tatman, who led the operation, said:
"We regularly hear from local people who are fed up with people driving cars dangerously in the area, or with modifications which make them a nuisance to those who live nearby. Through operations like this we're arresting these drivers and seizing their cars so we can keep our roads safe and send a clear message that we won't put up with their reckless and dangerous behaviour."
Cllr Caroline Sargent, Westminster City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, welcomed the results:
"People who think it's acceptable to drive illegally in Westminster are not welcome here. The disruption caused by these reckless drivers and boy racers is often worse during the summer months and, as well as putting people at risk, causes significant nuisance for residents and businesses."
Every week, someone in the UK is killed by an uninsured driver, with daily cases of life-altering injury.
