Video footage circulating online shows a Metropolitan Police officer at the wheel of a Ferrari Monza SP2 as it was escorted through Mayfair after being seized in West London. The supercar was taken from a gathering by Wellington Arch, near Hyde Park Corner, on Saturday, police said.
What happened
According to reports, the Ferrari — a limited-production Monza SP2 that originally sold for just over $1m but has since risen in resale value — was among several high-end vehicles impounded during an operation targeting a roadside meetup of supercars. One Monza SP2 sold earlier this year for about $5m (roughly £3.7 million), a figure widely cited in coverage of the car.
Footage shows the officer driving the Ferrari with a police escort through the streets of Mayfair en route to an impound or depot. The clip prompted strong reaction online, with many social-media users expressing amusement that an officer was able to drive such a rare vehicle.
“Best day at work ever for that guy😂😂.”
Local context and repeated operations
This is not an isolated example of the Metropolitan Police targeting illegal or nuisance supercar activity in London. Last year, officers impounded a convoy of about 70 supercars with an estimated combined value of £7 million, including Ferraris, Porsches and two purple Lamborghinis, during operations across affluent West London neighbourhoods.
Those previous seizures took place in areas including Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea and involved the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) as part of the removals. The MIB said at the time that one driver of a purple Lamborghini had been in the UK for only two hours and had driven for around 15 minutes when the vehicle was seized.
Why the seizures happen
Police and partner agencies have increasingly targeted gatherings of exotic cars amid complaints from residents about fast, erratic driving, anti-social behaviour and lack of insurance. Many impounded vehicles in earlier operations were uninsured and the subject of repeated complaints by local residents.
Officers have powers to seize vehicles where insurance is absent or where drivers commit offences. In some instances vehicles are towed; in others, as the footage suggests, they are driven to secure locations under escort. The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment about the most recent Ferrari seizure and the circumstances of the movement shown in the video.
Reactions on the ground
Residents in the areas where these meetups take place have long campaigned for stricter enforcement. One neighbour in Mayfair, contacted after the clip appeared online, said they supported robust action but wanted clarity on procedures.
“We get the noise and the danger from these gatherings. Good to see the cars removed, but it would be better if the follow-up — like checking insurance and prosecuting repeat offenders — was visible,” they said.
- Seized vehicle: Ferrari Monza SP2 (limited-production supercar)
- Reported value: approximately £3.7 million for one example sold earlier this year
- Seizure location: meetup at Wellington Arch, near Hyde Park Corner
- Escorted through: Mayfair
Data snapshot
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Car model | Ferrari Monza SP2 |
| Noted resale price | About $5m (c. £3.7m) |
| Related past seizure | ~70 supercars, c. £7m total value |
Questions for the Met and next steps
Local campaigners and some residents want clearer public information on enforcement outcomes after seizures — whether owners are prosecuted, vehicles permanently forfeited, or returned pending legal processes. Transparency about why vehicles are driven rather than towed in specific cases would also answer public curiosity and help guard against accusations of inconsistency.
For now, the episode adds to a pattern of high-profile interventions in West London’s exotic car scene, and underlines the continuing challenge for the Met and partner agencies to curb dangerous driving and enforce insurance laws among owners of rare and high-value vehicles.
The Metropolitan Police has been asked to provide details about the seizure, the decision to drive the car to a depot under escort, and any subsequent enforcement action.
