In a sweeping 24-hour operation aimed at curbing “anti-social behavior,” the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council seized a £250,000 ($320,133 USD) Mosler Trenne supercar and a £15,000 ($19,208 USD) custom e-scooter adorned with skulls in central London. The crackdown, part of a broader initiative to enhance public safety, resulted in the confiscation of 47 illegally driven vehicles.
The operation targeted high-profile areas such as Parliament Square, where officers stopped the Mosler Trenne after observing the driver revving its engine while being filmed by an onlooker. The Mosler Trenne, which boasts a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h), was impounded as part of the effort to address the disruptive presence of high-powered vehicles in the city.
Additionally, the crackdown extended beyond just vehicle seizures. Police and council officers targeted unlicensed buskers in Soho and pedicab drivers blasting excessively loud music. The operation also had a humanitarian aspect, as officers assisted a group of children who had been separated from their guide during a school trip to London.
In total, the operation saw 500 vehicles stopped, 11 arrests made for various offences, and 17 fines issued to cyclists running red lights. Officers also seized equipment from two illegal peanut vendors operating on Westminster Bridge.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for city management and air quality, emphasized the importance of the operation in ensuring public safety. “People who live in Westminster and who visit every day have a right to walk our streets in safety – knowing they are not likely to be hit by a vehicle with no insurance or buy an unsafe or illegal product from street traders,” he said.
Dimoldenberg highlighted the nuisance caused by “carelessly ridden” and parked e-scooters, which have been a significant source of complaints. He also addressed the issue of “supercars thrashing their engines” during the summer, a recurring problem that the council is keen to eliminate.
The operation also focused on street hawkers and illegal vendors on Westminster Bridge. Officers confiscated a camera and iPad from two photographers selling pictures to the public, and seized equipment from unlicensed hot dog and peanut traders. Illegal ice cream sellers were also moved on from the area.
Councillor Dimoldenberg praised the collaborative efforts between the police and council, stating, “Working with our police partners, this operation sends a strong signal that Westminster’s streets are not a free-for-all for unlicensed and anti-social activity.”
This comprehensive crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain order and safety in one of London’s most bustling areas, ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy the city without disruption from illegal and anti-social behavior.