SUPERCARS worth over £400,000 have been seized by Kensington and Chelsea police in a targeted crackdown.

Officers seized a Lamborghini Gallardo worth over £200,000, a Mercedes Brabus worth in excess of £150,000 and a high powered Cadillac Escalade worth around £50,000.

On Friday August 23 Brompton Neighbourhood Team carried out Operation Stanis. The operation was designed in part to target super cars being driven in an anti-social manner on the streets of Knightsbridge.

Residents in the area have been plagued by supercars with sceaming V8 engines roaring through the streets at all hours of the day and night.

Brompton Association chair Sophie Andreae said: "Late at night the super cars are a real menace. They roar up and down Brompton Road, and sometimes around Brompton Square waking up residents. They are noisy and present a danger to others. In recent weeks I have seen several parked in Brompton Road in the evenings with no tax discs visible - and no sign of any police. We are pleased to see the police have now taken some action but we think much more should be done."

The aim of the operation was not only to catch uninsured vehicles but also to educate drivers to drive more considerately. During the two hour operation officers stopped a total of eight vehicles and checked drivers details. Two drivers were found to be without insurance and were both issued with £300 fines and six points on their license.

PC Adam Brierley, the Brompton Ward Manager said: "High Powered super cars have been frequenting the Knightsbridge area each summer for the past few years and have built quite a fan base with car fanatics often spending hours walking the street just for a glimpse. These cars may appear impressive to some but the Brompton Safer Neighbourhood Team will not tolerate them being driven by uninsured drivers or in a fashion that disturbs the local residents."

Inspector Brian Haig said: "As local officers we will respond to issues affecting our community. In this case high powered performance cars are in themselves not the problem, but rather where they are driven inconsiderately or are as in these cases uninsured. Driving uninsured cars incurs not only seizure of the car but also a £300 fine and penalty points.

"In particular given that these cars these cars were worth in excess of £200,000 there cannot be any excuse for not insuring them. I will continue to task my officers, working together with our partners and the support of the community to tackle local problems such as these."