Tower Hamlets Council and the Met Police have joined forces to crackdown on unauthorised car meets and street racing.

Over three months, the teams have been targeting drivers of “nuisance vehicles” in Tower Hamlets after residents have complained of modified vehicles, dangerous driving, racing and car meets.

Twenty cars have been seized and 200 drivers reported so far in the operation, the council said.

Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, cabinet member for safer communities, said: “We support people having hobbies and interests, but these must be carried out in a respectful way that does not negatively impact on others.

“Unauthorised car meets can cause huge disruptions for those living near by, with loud car engines, anti-social and dangerous driving, and anti-social behaviour.

“The council has listened to our residents and, along with police, taken firm action against those involved in these disruptive behaviours.”

Footage from body cameras and CCTV has been utilised with automatic number plate systems to help identify nuisance drivers.

The council said 84 Community Protection Warnings have been issued to drivers and 186 notices have been served that will result in cars being seized if the drivers reoffend.

There have been 21 vehicles seized for lacking insurance and other offences, a spokesperson explained, seven arrests made and 45 drivers have been reported for traffic offences.

The crackdown has seen the frequency of unauthorised car meets fall from up to four a month at Westferry to just once a month, the council said.