£250K supercar seized in central London crackdown

A driver was seen revving the engine of this £250,000 Mosler Trenne while being filmed by a by-stander in Parliament Square

A £250,000 supercar and £15,000 custom-built e-scooter decorated with skulls were among 47 illegally driven vehicles seized in a recent day of police action in central London.

In a 24-hour operation tackling anti-social behaviour, officers confiscated the Mosler Trenne, which has a top speed of 190 mph (305 kmh), after it was stopped when the driver was seen revving his engine while being filmed by an onlooker in Parliament Square.

The Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council officers also targeted unlicensed buskers in Soho and pedicab drivers playing "excessively loud" music.

They also helped a group of children who had become separated from their guide while on a school trip to London.

Officers seized equipment from two illegal peanut sellers on Westminster Bridge

In total, officers stopped 500 vehicles, made 11 arrests for various offences and issued 17 fines to cyclists going through red traffic lights.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for city management and air quality, said: "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 an illegal product from street traders."

'Summer syndrome'

He said "carelessly ridden" and parked e-scooters were a "particular source of complaint to us".

He added the "summer syndrome of supercars thrashing their engines is also a tradition we can do without".

Motorbikes and e-scooters were among 47 vehicles seized and towed away

"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.”

Teams also targeted street hawkers and the illegal selling of goods on Westminster Bridge.

They seized a camera and iPad from two photographers selling photos to the public, confiscated equipment from unlicensed hot dog and peanut traders and moved on illegal ice cream sellers.