The Metropolitan Police have impounded luxury cars worth more than £8million after a high-profile supercar gathering drew dozens of exotic vehicles onto London’s streets, including a Ferrari valued at £3.7million.
Over a two-day crackdown between August 7 and August 9, officers seized 90 high-end vehicles in areas including Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea.
The major enforcement operation, described as record-breaking, involved 120 police officers and focused on uninsured motorists as well as anti-social and dangerous driving linked to the supercar scene.
Police believe many of the vehicles had arrived in the capital for an annual luxury car meet, where wealthy owners showcase their rare and powerful motors on London roads.
However, some drivers are understood to have brought the cars into the UK without having the proper insurance required to legally drive them on British roads.
Among the most valuable supercars taken by police was a Ferrari Monza SP2, one of only 499 ever made, with an estimated price tag of £3.7million.
The driver of the rare Ferrari was found to have only a provisional licence and had reportedly been behind the wheel for just an hour before officers pulled the car over.
Other luxury vehicles seized between Friday and Sunday included a Lamborghini Revuelto, a Rolls-Royce Wraith and a Porsche 911 GT3, among several other sought-after performance cars.
A blue Porsche 911 GT3 with a ‘No Insurance Siezed by Police’ sticker on the front windscreen
A Rolls-Royce Wraith apprehended by Metropolitan Police officers in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour
Four luxury vehicles seized as part of the record-breaking police operation in Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea
Officers also arrested four individuals for unrelated offences during the operation including a man with 19 bank cards in other people’s names.
Another man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs after he was stopped for driving without insurance and found with £5,500 in cash.
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.’
The Met Police operation was able to identify uninsured drivers using Motor Insurers’ Bureau’s Navigate database.
Angus Eaton, CEO at Motor Insurers’ Bureau, said: ‘Operations like these show that the rules apply to all motorists, regardless of the value of the vehicle they chose to drive.
‘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.’
In last year’s operation, the Met Police seized 72 vehicles for similar offences which led to two stolen vehicles being recovered and eight arrests.
Perks of the job: One lucky police officer drove the limited edition Ferrari Monza SP2 around Mayfair
Accompanied by a police escort the officer donned his shades behind the wheel of the car
After the limited-run Ferrari was apprehended, a Met Police officer took the opportunity to drive the incredibly rare supercar through the streets of Mayfair.
The police officer donned his shades and channelled his inner James Bond as he got behind the wheel of the flash convertible.
While the cars originally sold for just over $1million, their rarity has led to a surge in their potential value second-hand, with one selling for just under $5million (£3.7million) this year.
The car was reportedly one of a number which were seized at a supercar meetup at Wellington Arch by Hyde Park Corner on Saturday.
Video footage showed the moment the Ferrari was driven around the streets of Mayfair by an officer, surrounded by a police escort.
The clip attracted envious reactions from fellow car enthusiasts, suggesting the officer likely had the best day of his career by driving the rare supercar.
