Met Police seize £3.7m Ferrari in central London crackdown
Ninety vehicles worth over £8m were taken in Kensington, Chelsea and Hyde Park over three days
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Police removed a Ferrari Monza SP2 from central London streets after stopping the driver for lacking insurance and a full licence. The car, valued at £3.7m, had arrived in the UK only 24 hours earlier. Officers took it during a three-day operation that netted 90 vehicles worth more than £8m in total.
The operation ran from Friday to Sunday in Kensington, Chelsea and Hyde Park. Metropolitan Police said the haul was the largest by value in the five years they have conducted such weekend enforcement drives. The force used powers allowing immediate seizure where cars are linked to antisocial behaviour.
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Driver held provisional licence
The Ferrari’s driver had been behind the wheel for less than 30 minutes when stopped. Police confirmed the individual held only a provisional licence and no insurance. The Monza SP2, one of 499 produced, was auctioned earlier this year for £3.7m.
Special Ch Insp Geoff Tatman, who led the operation, said residents had repeatedly complained about dangerous and modified vehicles. He described the seizures as a measure to improve road safety and discourage reckless driving in the area.
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Four arrests made
During the operation, officers arrested four people. One man was held on suspicion of handling stolen goods and money laundering after police found 19 bank cards in other people’s names and over £2,500 in cash. A second man, stopped for driving without insurance, was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply.
Two further arrests followed: one for alleged harassment, alarm or distress, and another for an immigration offence. The Metropolitan Police did not release the names of those detained.
What happens next
Seized vehicles will be stored pending further investigation or disposal. Owners may face charges or have their cars crushed if found to have been used illegally. The Metropolitan Police said it would continue weekend operations in response to community concerns about antisocial driving.
Questions this report answers
+How much were the seized vehicles worth?
The 90 vehicles taken by Metropolitan Police were valued at over £8m in total. The most expensive, a Ferrari Monza SP2, was worth £3.7m alone. The operation targeted uninsured and antisocial driving in central London.
+Why was the Ferrari seized?
The Ferrari was stopped because the driver held only a provisional licence and had no insurance. The car had been in the UK for one day. Police used powers allowing immediate seizure for antisocial vehicle use.
+What happens to the seized cars?
Seized vehicles are stored while police investigate. Owners may face charges or have their cars destroyed if found to have been used illegally. The Metropolitan Police said operations would continue in response to resident complaints.
+How many arrests were made during the operation?
Four people were arrested. Charges included money laundering, drug offences, harassment and immigration violations. Police also found 19 bank cards in other people’s names and over £2,500 in cash.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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