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Stretch limos 'front for crime' Stretch limos seized in crackdown
(about 3 hours later)
Some stretch limousine businesses in the UK are acting as a front for organised crime, senior police officers have told BBC News. Some 20 drivers were reported for more than 80 motoring offences during a crackdown on stretch limousines being used as a front for organised crime.
In the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes including drug dealing, money laundering and car ringing. 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.More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month.
Some of the limousines were also found to be unsafe.
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.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.
We have seen, on a number of occasions, some pretty unsavoury people driving or inside these vehicles Chief Supt Geraint Anwyl
"It won't be long before we see the contents of these vehicles being spilt out onto one of our roads.""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.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.""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 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.The association says it wants the illegality to stop so that legal, reputable companies can get on with their job.