London’s Metropolitan Police seized more than £8 million ($10.8 million) worth of vehicles over the weekend following a supercar gathering in the city. The operation, supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, included the seizure of a Ferrari Monza SP2 valued at £3.7 million ($5 million).
90 Vehicles Seized in Two-Day Operation
The Met Police described the action as a “crackdown on antisocial driving in central London.” Officers seized 90 vehicles between August 7 and 9, making it the largest and most expensive operation in the initiative’s five-year history.
The operation focused on uninsured drivers as well as anti-social and dangerous driving across Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea.
Among the vehicles seized was the Ferrari Monza SP2, which had reportedly been in the UK for only one day. Police seized the car for “driving without insurance and not in accordance with a license.”
The driver had only a provisional driving license and had been inside the Ferrari for less than half an hour when Met officers stopped him.
The Monza SP2 is one of only 499 examples produced by the Scuderia. One example sold at auction for $4,995,000 earlier this year.
Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce Among Seized Cars
The seizure list extended across some of the world’s most expensive luxury and performance vehicles. It included a Lamborghini Revuelto and Urus, Ferrari 812 and Purosangue, Rolls-Royce Wraith and Cullinan, a McLaren 600 LT Coupe and a Porsche 911 GT3.
Other seized vehicles included models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin and Range Rover.
The Met Police said the weekend operation demonstrated “new policing powers” that allow officers to seize vehicles involved in antisocial behavior rather than simply issuing motorists a warning.
“This allows us to quickly tackle drivers who are causing alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public,” Met Police said in a statement.
Fifteen vehicles were seized under the new legislation alone.
Police Target Reckless and Dangerous Driving
Special Chief Inspector Geoff Tatman, who led the operation, said local residents regularly report concerns about dangerous driving and vehicle modifications that create problems for people living nearby.
“Through operations like this we’re arresting these drivers and seizing their cars so we can keep our roads safe and send clear message that we won’t put up with their reckless and dangerous behavior,” he added.
A total of 120 officers participated in the operation targeting uninsured motorists and anti-social and dangerous driving.
Operation Also Uncovers Other Offenses
Police said operations of this type can also uncover criminal activity, including drug offenses, drink-driving and illegal street racing. The latest operation produced several arrests unrelated to the vehicle seizures.
Four individuals were arrested for unrelated offenses. Among them was a man found with 19 bank cards in other people’s names.
Another man was suspected of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs after being stopped for driving uninsured. Officers also found £5,500 ($7,500) in cash in his possession.
The weekend operation resulted in 90 vehicle seizures and more than £8 million ($10.8 million) worth of vehicles taken off London’s roads as police targeted uninsured, anti-social and dangerous driving.
