The Metropolitan Police have seized 72 luxury vehicles, collectively worth more than £6 million, during a crackdown on antisocial driving in London’s West End. The supercars included Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bentleys, with officers targeting nuisance driving following complaints from residents, businesses and visitors about disruption in and around Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea.
The vehicles, including twin purple Lamborghinis, were either unroadworthy or being driven illegally, the force said. Officers worked with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) over the weekend to issue tickets for a range of offences, including driving with no insurance, no licence, disqualification, false documentation and fraudulent number plates.
Several stolen vehicles were recovered during the operation. Additionally, ten cars were found to have no valid MoT and 11 were without road tax. Eight people were arrested for alleged offences including actual bodily harm, criminal damage, drug offences, theft and immigration breaches.
Special Chief Officer James Deller from the Met’s Special Constabulary said: “The Met has already reduced neighbourhood crime by 19% over recent months and we’re addressing antisocial behaviour caused by uninsured drivers. This has been a great opportunity to work with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and for officers to speak with members of the public about the work we do, educate drivers and enforce the law.”
Martin Saunders, the head of uninsured driving prevention at the MIB, urged motorists to check their insurance policies are in place and appropriate. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to tackle nuisance driving and improve road safety in central London.
