LONDON, Aug 10 — Police has seized a limited-edition Ferrari worth £3.7 million (US$5 million) during a crackdown on antisocial driving in central London, PA Media/dpa reported.
The Metropolitan Police said 90 vehicles worth more than £8 million were seized during the operation, which targeted uninsured, antisocial, and dangerous driving in Kensington, Chelsea, and Hyde Park from Friday to Sunday.
The Ferrari Monza SP2 — one of only 499 made by the Italian company — had only been in the UK for a day, according to a Met statement.
Police said the driver, who had been in the car for less than half an hour when stopped, only had a provisional driving licence and no insurance.
One of the limited-edition vehicles sold at auction for almost US$5 million earlier this year.
Fifteen of the vehicles were seized under new powers allowing police to seize them rather than give a warning if they are involved in antisocial behaviour.
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 clear message that we won’t put up with their reckless and dangerous behaviour.”
Vehicle stops also saw a man arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and money laundering after he was found with 19 bank cards in other people’s names and more than £2,500 in cash.
Another man stopped for driving without insurance was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs with one further arrest for using words and behaviour that would likely cause harassment, alarm, and distress, as well as another on suspicion of an immigration offence.
Police said the number and value of the vehicles seized was the highest in the five years of the operation. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa
