London Police Said Monday They Seized a Record $10 Million Worth of Supercars Over the Weekend in an Operation Targeting Antisocial Driving

Officers from London's Metropolitan Police impounded 90 vehicles between Friday and Sunday across affluent neighborhoods including Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea — the highest value and number of cars seized since the crackdown began five years ago. Authorities in England define antisocial driving as causing unnecessary noise pollution, street racing and cruising in convoys, among other public nuisances. In summer, owners of expensive exotic cars often gather in central London's upscale areas, with some drivers revving engines and drawing complaints from locals.

"The disruption caused by these reckless drivers and boy racers is often worse during the summer months and, as well as putting people at risk, causes significant nuisance for residents and businesses, said Caroline Sargent, a lawmaker at Westminster City Council. This year police gained the power to seize vehicles involved in antisocial behavior instead of issuing warnings, the Met said. One impounded car was a Ferrari Monza SP2 — one of only 499 made, auctionable for nearly $5 million — which had been in the U.K. for just a day with no insurance; its driver held only a provisional license. 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... Through operations like this, we're arresting these drivers and seizing their cars so we can keep our roads safe.