10 vehicles seized and five arrested after acoustic cameras installed to catch anti-social drivers

By Hannah Neary, Local Democracy Reporter

Drivers have been caught using posh London streets as ‘race tracks’ by high-tech cameras.

The new acoustic cameras were triggered when sports car drivers were spotted doing donuts outside houses in Westminster.

The cameras pick up the loud noises of cars, such as revving engines, in residential areas.

Footage of drivers doing laps around each other was used to help a police crackdown against anti-social and dangerous driving on Exhibition Road between Friday, January 14 and Sunday, January 16.

Police seized 10 vehicles and five people were arrested – three who failed roadside drug tests, one who was wanted for robbery and another who had been disqualified from driving.

The cameras were set up by Westminster City council – among the first authorities to use the new technology – to tackle the joy riders who can be fined up to £100.

Conservative councillor Heather Acton said: “We are committed to supporting our residents and businesses in and around Waterloo Place and Exhibition Road to reduce the noise nuisance and criminality relating to car meets in these areas.

“Over the last few months, car meets have reduced in Waterloo Place and I am confident we can address the same issues at Exhibition Road.

“In the future, we will be able to take enforcement action ourselves by using a public space protection order to tackle anti-social behaviour as well as continuing to support and work with the police on our joint approach.

 “However, nothing can make the message clearer – that we’ll not tolerate anti-social behaviour from car meets in Westminster – than the police confiscating cars that repeatedly cause issues.”

Westminster Borough chief inspector James Johnson said: “These are London streets but some people choose to use them as racetracks.

“These car meets are noisy, anti-social and often downright dangerous.

“People should not have to listen to cars doing doughnuts in their road in the early hours of the morning and this operation was part of our continuing plan to tackle this anti-social behaviour.

“Those who participate in such events can expect to be reported for driving offences and face having their car seized.

“We are determined to stop this behaviour and our message is clear – if you come to central London to drive in a dangerous manner, be prepared to take the bus home.”

Around 100 cars were seen gathering at Exhibition Road over the weekend, which led to 39 drivers being given section 59 warnings.

These are given to anti-social drivers and police can seize a vehicle if a driver is caught doing it again within a year.

Kensington and Chelsea council was the first UK authority to install acoustic cameras as part of a drive to fine noisy supercar drivers.

Councillors say they have been a success so far, with 165 fixed penalty notices issued, and they plan to install more throughout the borough.