Czech police are using a Ferrari seized from criminals as a patrol car

Police in the Czech Republic have turned the tables on criminals by not only seizing a Ferrari 458 from them but keeping it for themselves to use as a patrol car.

The 2011 supercar, which is worth around £150,000 today, has been modified into one of the fastest police vehicles in Europe, with the authorities saying the 202mph motor will be used to chase stolen vehicles and crack down on illegal street racing in the country.

Respraying the Ferrari in the official police colours, fitting sirens and flashing lights and installing all the necessary equipment needed by officers came to a total bill of CZK300,000 – around £10,300.

In a statement, the Police of Czech Republic said the modification cost less than purchasing a new Skoda, which would be around 80mph slower than its prancing horse patrol car.

Police said the Ferrari began its service on Monday, with it being ‘deployed against the most aggressive drivers on Czech highways’.

This means it will be utilised to locate and chase stolen vehicles and attend tuned car events, which often result in illegal high-speed street racing.

The force said there were some 30 cases of reported illegal street racing in the country in 2019 in which high-performance cars reach extreme speeds on public roads that a ‘normal patrol vehicle cannot fully compete with’.

The 2011 supercar, which is worth around £150,000 today, is one of the fastest police vehicles in Europe. It will be used to chase stolen vehicles and to crack down on illegal street racing in the Czech Republic

Originally painted traditional Ferrari red, the car had a complete police makeover, receiving a silver spray job before adding yellow and blue reflective stripes for the fully-authentic look

A light bar has been installed on the roof for the blues and twos, as well as a siren and digital display board that will be used to communicate with fellow motorists

The 458 Italia cost from £178,500 when new. Today, a 2011 model like this is worth around £150,000, with collectors desperate to get their hands on the last naturally-aspirated V8 powered supercar Ferrari produced.

Under the glass panel at the back is a snarling 4.5-litre, eight-cylinder petrol powerplant that develops a whopping 562bhp.

It can accelerate from zero to 62mph in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed in excess of 202mph, meaning few offenders will be able to escape its clutches in a pursuit. 

Specially-trained officers will also use the Ferrari when ‘supervising the safety and flow of traffic on highways’ and for public appearances to promote police work in the Czech Republic.

Ferrari 458 Italia  

Built: 2009-2015

Price when new: £178,500

Value today: Around £150,000 (very collectible as it is the last Ferrari supercar to feature a naturally-aspirated V8 engine, with successors having turbochargers)  

Engine: 4.5-litre V8 petrol

Power: 562bhp 

Torque: 398lb-ft 

Transmission: 7-Speed dual-clutch semi-automatic 

0-62mph: 3.4 seconds 

Top Speed: Over 202mph 

Deputy Chief of Police, General Tomáš Kubík, said: ‘If I were to mention one of the activities in which we significantly succeed in using legal authorisations, I must mention the securing of assets originating from criminal activities. 

‘Last year alone, we secured assets worth almost CZK 7billion in this way, and I am personally convinced that we will be similarly effective in the future.’ 

Originally painted traditional Ferrari red, the car had a complete police makeover, receiving a silver spray job before adding yellow and blue reflective stripes for the authentic look.

A light bar has also been installed on the roof for the blues and twos, as well as a siren and digital display board that will be used to communicate with fellow motorists.

The total cost of retrofitting the Ferrari came to less than the price of a new Skoda Scala, which is one of the models currently used by the Czech police as a patrol car.

These have a top speed of just 120mph – some 82mph slower than the supercar. 

The national police force says the Ferrari isn’t the most valuable or rare motor it has seized from criminals, saying it has captured almost 900 vehicles in total in the last 12 months. 

The vast majority of cars it confiscates are sold and the proceeds used to cover the damage caused by the offender.

However, it does keep some vehicles for official duties, which are then used to combat serious criminal activity throughout the Czech Republic – though none as luxurious as its new Ferrari.

The Czech police force is not the first to use a supercar as a patrol vehicle – though it is the first known to use one that’s been taken out of the hands of criminals. 

Italian officers have a partnership with Lamborghini, which most recently saw the Polizia issued with a Huracán to transport urgent blood supplies to accident sites. 

Police in Dubai are also known to have a fleet of supercars to patrol its roads.

Czech police said the cost to modify the Ferrari was less than the purchase price of a new Skoda Scala (pictured), which it currently uses in its fleet. The Skoda has a top speed of around 120mph – that’s some 82mph slower than the 458 Italia

The Czech police force is not the first to use a supercar as a patrol vehicle. Authorities in Italy have a partnership with Lamborghini

The Italian supercar brand most recently issued the Polizia with a Huracán to transport urgent blood supplies to accident sites