London police recently seized approximately $10 million (or £8 million) worth of luxury supercars over a single weekend, impounding 90 vehicles in affluent areas like Hyde Park, Kensington, and Chelsea. This operation marks the highest value and number of cars seized since the Metropolitan Police launched its crackdown on antisocial driving five years ago. This annual phenomenon, dubbed "supercar season," sees wealthy individuals, many from the Middle East, bring their expensive sports cars to London to escape the summer heat in their home countries. They often pay upwards of £20,000 to transport these vehicles via air freight.
Antisocial driving includes excessive noise, street racing, and convoy cruising. Residents and local officials, such as Caroline Sargent of Westminster City Council, have voiced complaints about the disruption and nuisance caused by these "reckless drivers and boy racers," especially during the summer months. Supercars are frequently spotted revving engines, speeding, and even flouting parking rules, despite hefty fines of £110-£160.
Among the vehicles seized was a Ferrari Monza SP2, one of only 499 ever made, valued at nearly $5 million (or £3.7 million). This particular Ferrari had only been in the U.K. for a day, lacked insurance, and its driver possessed only a provisional license. Other confiscated vehicles included Lamborghini Revuetos, McLarens, Rolls-Royce Cullinans, and Bentley Continentals. New policing powers allow officers to seize vehicles involved in antisocial behavior without prior warning, and 15 cars were confiscated under this legislation alone during the operation. Local councils in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea have also secured a High Court injunction to prohibit engine revving and excessive acceleration at car meets, with rule-breakers facing arrest.
