Met clamps down on vehicle crime and antisocial driving by seizing 60 ‘supercars’
More than 60 so-called supercars – high-end branded models – were taken off roads in central London last week, as the Met cracked down on nuisance drivers.
Five arrests were also made in the operation to clamp down on illegality and anti-social behaviour.
Westminster residents complained about cars driving poorly or at high-speed.
As a result, the Met worked with Westminster City council and the Motor Insurance Bureau on an intelligence led operation to remove nuisance drivers who drive around the area more frequently in the summer months.
The operation launched on the evening of Friday, August 2, and ran across that weekend, seizing £6 million worth of cars including McLaren, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini, preventing further causing harm on the roads.
Officers also made five arrests, including for insurance fraud, using a mobile phone at the wheel, not using a seatbelt and driving without due care.
Special Inspector Geoff Tatman said: “The Met is working to put communities first – listening to and tackling their concerns. This hugely successful operation has proved we are dealing with those crimes, such as anti-social driving, that is causing most distress to residents and tourists.
“This brilliant partnership work between the Met’s Vehicle Enforcement Team, Motor Insurance Bureau and Westminster City council demonstrates to Londoners we are doubling down on crime on the roads.”
Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for city management at Westminster City council said: “People who think it is ok to use our roads as their own private racetrack late at night are not welcome in Westminster.
“The noise and dangerous driving from these boy racers is often worse during the summer, so I welcome these results from the enforcement work. This underlines the council’s zero tolerance approach to anti-social driving.
“We will continue to work alongside the police and other local authorities to make sure the racing stays on the racetrack and not on our streets.”
Pictured top: Impounded vehicles after the Met crackdown (Picture: The Met)