A Met Police operation in London’s West End has led to the seizure of luxury cars worth more than £6million.
A total of 72 high-end vehicles – including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bentleys – were taken off the road after being found unroadworthy or driven illegally.
The crackdown, which took place between Friday, 8 August and Sunday, 10 August, was launched in response to concerns from residents, businesses and visitors about a rise in anti-social driving in areas including Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea.
Officers worked with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to issue tickets for a range of offences such as driving without insurance, no driving licence, disqualification, false documentation and fraudulent number plates.
Several stolen vehicles were also recovered. Ten cars were found with no valid MOT, and another eleven had no road tax.
Eight people were arrested for offences including actual bodily harm, criminal damage, drug offences, theft and immigration offences.
Special Chief Officer James Deller, from the Met’s Special Constabulary, said: “The Met is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and this operation was set-up to respond to concerns from resident, businesses and visitors about high-value vehicles causing a nuisance in known hotspot areas in central and west London.
“The Met has already reduced neighbourhood crime by 19 per cent over recent months and we’re addressing anti-social behaviour caused by uninsured drivers.
“This has been a great opportunity to work with the Motor Insurance Bureau and for officers to speak with members of the public about the work we do, educate drivers and enforce the law.”
Arrests made during the operation included:
- A 22-year-old man from Hammersmith, arrested for ABH and criminal damage, remanded in custody.
- A 25-year-old man from London, arrested and charged with possession of a Class B drug.
- A 27-year-old man from Watford, arrested for theft of a motor vehicle, released under investigation.
- A 23-year-old man from Twickenham, arrested for theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop, no insurance, no driving licence and drug driving, remanded in custody.
Three men aged 26, 35 and 39, and a 23-year-old woman, all from London, arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
Police say operations like this are part of ongoing efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across London’s town centres and high streets over the summer.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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