Stretch limos seized in crackdown

Forty-seven stretch limousines were stopped in a two-day operation on 17 and 18 November, the Met Police said.

Eight vehicles with "serious defects" were taken off the road in west London.

Earlier, during the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes such as drug dealing and money laundering.

"We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles"
Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl

Inspector Barry Bishop said: "Stretch limousines are often used to celebrate special occasions and the safety of these vehicles is rarely considered."

He said police were committed to "tackling drivers and operators of limousines who continue to drive unlicensed and unsafe vehicles causing danger to its passengers and other road users".

The motoring offences the 20 drivers were reported for included driving without a licence, insurance and MoT, and with a variety of vehicle defects.

More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month.

Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum - which led the operation - said: "Our concerns are that with every passing day the possibility of these vehicles falling apart increases significantly.

"It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads."

'Unsavoury people'

Drivers were not subject to normal Criminal Record Bureau checks, he said.

"We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles who wouldn't normally be in a position where they'd be able to be with young children in party situations."

The National Limousine Association - set up to bring some regulation to the industry - says it knows the industry has been infiltrated by people who are using it for illegal purposes.

The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job.

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