Police in London said on Aug. 10 they had seized cars worth about $10 million during an operation targeting uninsured, antisocial, and dangerous driving.
The Metropolitan Police said 90 vehicles were confiscated across the British capital, in the glamorous areas of Kensington, Chelsea, and Hyde Park between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9.
The force said this was the “highest number and value of vehicles seized in the operation’s five-year history.”
Among the automobiles seized was a Ferrari Monza SP2, one of only 499 made by the prestigious Italian manufacturer, which had been in the UK for a single day.
Police said the driver, who had been in the car for less than half an hour when stopped, only had a provisional driving license and no insurance. A provisional license is akin to a learner’s permit in the United States.
One of the limited edition Ferraris sold at auction for $4,995,000 earlier this year, police said.
Other prestige automobiles taken off the road by police included a Porsche, a Lamborghini, a McLaren, a Rolls-Royce, and a Bentley, along with numerous other luxury brand cars.
Fifteen of the vehicles were seized under new policing powers, allowing officers to seize them rather than give the driver a warning if they are involved in antisocial behavior.
Special Chief Inspector Geoff Tatman, who led the operation, said “reckless and dangerous behavior” won’t be tolerated.
“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,” Tatman said.
“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.”
A man was also arrested during a vehicle stop on suspicion of handling stolen goods and money laundering after he was allegedly found with 19 bank cards in other people’s names and more than 2,500 pounds ($3,400) in cash.
Another man pulled over for driving without insurance was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, with one further arrest for using words and behavior that would “likely cause harassment, alarm, and distress to a member of public.”
Another was arrested on suspicion of an immigration-related offense.
Caroline Sargent, deputy leader and Cabinet member for enforcement at Westminster City Council, said people who drive illegally in Westminster are not welcome.
“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,” she said.
The operation involved 120 officers, including 95 from the Metropolitan Police’s Special Constabulary and Vehicle Enforcement Team, backed by experts from the UK Motor Insurers’ Bureau, a body funded by a tax on British car insurance premiums, which compensates victims of road accidents caused by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers.
Motor Insurers Bureau CEO Angus Eaton said that operations such as this one “show that the rules apply to all motorists.”
“We know that while many offenders knowingly violate the law, others that aim to be law-abiding motorists may be caught out by making a genuine insurance mistake,” he added, urging all motorists to check they have the correct insurance for themselves and their vehicles.
