A £250,000 supercar was seized for anti-social driving in Parliament Square after being spotted being filmed while the driver revved its engine at excessive volume.
The Mosler Trenne sports car, which has a top speed of 190mph, was taken from the driver by the Metropolitan Police after he was unable to provide a driving licence. He is expected to face court proceedings.
The car was seized as part of a joint Westminster council and Metropolitan Police crackdown on anti-social behaviour and illegal street trading in Parliament Square, on Westminster bridge and around the West End.
Paul Dimoldenberg, the councillor in charge of city management, said: “The summer syndrome of supercars thrashing their engines is a tradition we can do without.”
The car had been spotted by officers from the Met’s special constabulary and council officials during joint patrols.
The 24-hour operation on July 13, which resulted in 11 arrests, also saw a number of cyclists being apprehended for cycling through red lights. Some were given verbal warnings but 17 were issued with £50 fixed penalty notices.
Officers also seized a number of illegally adapted e-scooters and e-bikes, including one scooter that its owner claimed was worth £15,000.
The e-scooter, which had a customised paint job and skull decorations, was being ridden without insurance and illegally on a public road.
A total of 47 vehicles seized for having no insurance. More than 500 vehicles were stopped and examined during the operation.
Council officers seized street trading equipment used by street hawkers on Westminster bridge, including a camera and an iPad used in an unlicensed photo booth, plus the stalls used by three hotdog sellers and two peanut vendors.
Unlicensed ice cream sellers were ordered to move off the bridge. Written warnings were given to unlicensed buskers in Wardour Street and Leicester Square. A pedicab was stopped for playing amplified music at Cambridge Circus.
Details of a four other pedicab riders were taken at Hyde Park Lane and Park Lane for playing music excessively loud.
Mr Dimoldenberg said: “This operation sends a strong signal that Westminster’s streets are not a free-for-all unlicensed and anti-social activity.”
Metropolitan Police Special Inspector Geoff Tatman said: “This hugely successful operation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Met special constables that play a vital role in our mission to make London safer and kindly give up their free time help serve the community.”
