During a weekend crackdown on antisocial driving in central London, a Metropolitan Police officer seized the opportunity to drive a rare Ferrari Monza SP2 worth £3.7 million around Mayfair. The officer was filmed putting on sunglasses before cruising the sleek black vehicle past Marble Arch, just hours after the car had arrived in the UK.
Supercars Worth Over £8m Seized Near Hyde Park
Police took more than £8 million worth of supercars off the streets around Hyde Park between Friday and Sunday. While most were loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to the police pound, one officer chose to personally drive the Ferrari, one of only 499 Monza SP2 models ever made by the Italian brand. A similar model sold for $4,995,000 (£3.7m) earlier this year.
The Ferrari's owner had been driving with provisional insurance and without valid coverage, and was stopped less than 30 minutes into his journey. The vehicle was among 90 cars seized during the operation, which is part of a five-year initiative targeting reckless drivers.
New Powers Allow Immediate Seizures
Special Chief Inspector Geoff Tatman, who led the operation, said: 'We regularly hear from local people who are fed up with people driving cars dangerously in the area, or with modifications which make them a nuisance to those who live nearby.'
'Through operations like this we're arresting these drivers and seizing their cars so we can keep our roads safe and send clear message that we won't put up with their reckless and dangerous behavior.'
The operation also marked the first use of new police powers that allow officers to immediately confiscate vehicles from drivers engaging in antisocial behaviour. Previously, officers could only issue warnings, but now anyone caught driving in a way that alarms or annoys the public can lose their car on the spot. The Met reported that 15 cars were seized under this legislation last weekend alone.
Public Complaints Drive Enforcement
The crackdown comes in response to frequent complaints from local residents about dangerous driving and modified vehicles creating noise and disruption in the area. Police have vowed to continue such operations to ensure road safety and deter future offences.
The Ferrari seizure highlights the scale of the problem, with high-value vehicles not exempt from enforcement. The Monza SP2, a limited-edition speedster inspired by classic Ferrari models, is among the most exclusive cars on the market, making its impounding a notable event.
Officers are encouraging the public to report antisocial driving incidents, as the new powers provide a swift and effective deterrent. The Met's five-year operation aims to reduce such behaviour significantly across London, with weekend blitzes like this becoming a regular feature.
