Police in London seized nearly 50 vehicles, including a £250k supercar, during a day-long operation aimed at tackling unlicensed and uninsured vehicles, street hawkers, and cyclists running red lights.
The driver of the Mosler Trenne supercar, capable of reaching speeds of up to 190mph, was filmed revving the engine in Parliament Square. When police stopped the driver, they failed to present a valid driving licence, leading to the car’s impoundment.
A £250k Supercar was seized during a 24hr operation tackling ASB and illegal street traders.
It was one of 47 vehicles seized in targeted enforcement around Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge and the West End.
Find out what else we seized here: https://t.co/gzJ15QYhd0 pic.twitter.com/k3Z4NOq635
— WCC Press Office (@WCCpressoffice) July 30, 2024
Among the seized items was a customised e-scooter valued at £15,000. The joint operation by Westminster City Council and the Met Police also confiscated hot dog and peanut-selling stands. In total, 47 vehicles were taken off the streets.
The operation saw more than 500 vehicles stopped, resulting in 11 arrests for various offences and 17 fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists ignoring traffic signals. For 24 hours, council and police officers focused on offences ranging from anti-social behaviour to the illegal sale of goods in the West End.
Officers offered “reassurance and community safety advice” about phone thefts. City Council officials used unlicensed street trading powers to disrupt sales on Westminster Bridge, confiscating a camera and iPad from photographers selling to tourists and equipment from three hot dog and two peanut vendors operating without licences.
Unlicensed ice cream sellers were also targeted and warned to move on. Labour Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for City Management and Air Quality, criticised the tradition of supercars “thrashing their engines.”
He stated, “Residents and visitors to Westminster have the right to walk safely without the risk of being hit by an uninsured vehicle or purchasing illegal products from street traders. Irresponsibly ridden and parked e-scooters are a frequent complaint, and the summer trend of supercars revving engines is a tradition we can do without.”
Collaborating with police partners, this operation aimed to make it clear that Westminster’s streets are not open to unlicensed and anti-social activities. Written warnings were also issued to unlicensed buskers in Wardour Street and Leicester Square, and a pedicab was stopped for playing amplified music at Cambridge Circus.
Details of four additional pedicab riders were recorded in Hyde Park Lane and Park Lane for excessively loud music. While targeting illegal activities, officers also reunited four missing children with their group during a school trip, keeping them safe at New Scotland Yard until their guide arrived.
Metropolitan Police Special Inspector Geoff Tatman praised the operation, saying, “This successful operation highlights the dedication of Met Special constables who volunteer their time to help make London safer. The Met has effectively partnered with Westminster Council and other local entities to address offenders and illegal activities that concern Londoners.”