London’s Metropolitan Police said it seized a total of 90 cars over this past weekend during an operation related to the department’s ongoing crackdown against what officials have deemed as “antisocial driving behavior.” The event marks the single highest number of cars, as well as the highest valued vehicles, that the operation has involved since it started some five years ago.
Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday that the department had seized more than seven dozen vehicles in some of London’s most affluent neighborhoods, including Hyde Park, Kensington, and Chelsea, between August 7th and 9th. The cars, which included a 1-of-499 Ferrari Monza SP2 valued at around $4.7 million, reportedly totaled some $10 million worth of sheetmetal. According to the Met cops, the Monza had only been in the country for a few hours at the time of the seizure; he owner had been driving the car without proper insurance, and was on a provisional license.
In the U.K., among other offenses, antisocial driving habits are said to include causing excessive noise pollution, street racing and cruising in a convoy, according to CBS News. Others had their vehicles seized as a result of other crimes, including one individual who was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs.
The operation involved 120 officers from the Met, including some 95 from the Special Constabulary and Vehicle Enforcement Team. The officers were supported in their efforts by agents from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
London Metropolitan Police
“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,” special chief inspector Geoff Tatman said in a statement. “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 behavior.”
London Metropolitan Police
Given the amount of success that was achieved with this particular sting, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more enforcement actions like this in the future, and I doubt we’ll have to wait long for this particular vehicle seizure total to be surpassed. That said, I doubt the Met will end up with another Monza in their possession.
Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.