Four drivers were issued with fines and costs totalling £2,749 thanks to the London Borough of Bexley’s continued work on tackling Blue Badge abuse in the borough.
Ms Teneka Bailey of Wivenhoe Close, Peckham, was prosecuted under section 17 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972. Ms Bailey was found guilty of two charges of failing to provide information relating to the identification of the person driving her vehicle when a suspected misuse incident occurred. The badge displayed in the vehicle had been cancelled when reported as lost.
Mr Michael Rogers of Radnor Avenue, Welling, and Mr Conh Anh Nguyen of Westerfield Road, South Tottenham, were both found guilty of displaying Blue Badges that had been cancelled as lost.
Ms Taylor Steele of Athol Road, Erith, was found guilty of displaying a stolen Blue Badge.
In all four cases, the drivers displayed the badges to take advantage of parking concessions they were not entitled to. Only people who have a physical or non-physical disability affecting their mobility are eligible for a Blue Badge. Badge holders can benefit from the parking concessions available under the scheme to help them park within a manageable distance of their destination.
Councillor Richard Diment, Bexley's Cabinet Member for Places, said:
Blue Badge scheme abuse will not be tolerated in our borough. I’m pleased that our work to protect the scheme is having the desired effect in bringing offenders to court but saddened that this type of dishonesty continues.
We continue to be vigilant in protecting the Blue Badge scheme in Bexley. We check in real time the status and validity of around 1,000 displayed badges every month. If we find a cancelled badge on display, we will investigate. Where misuse is confirmed, we will prosecute. It’s not worth risking the unpleasant consequences including a fine and a criminal record just to save a few pennies or avoid a short walk.
I urge anyone who has come upon a Blue Badge they are not entitled to use to do the right thing and return it to the issuing authority shown on the badge straight away.”
The Blue Badges associated with all four incidents were issued by local authorities outside of Bexley. Two of the cases involved Bexley residents.
More than 20 prosecutions have taken place for similar Blue Badge misuse-related offences in the borough during the last year.
A Blue Badge must be returned to the issuing authority shown on the front of the badge in any of the following circumstances:
- the badge has expired
- the holder’s medical condition/mobility improves and they are no longer eligible
- a replacement has been issued for a lost or stolen badge and the original is found
- the badge is damaged or illegible
- the holder no longer needs the badge because they are confined to the house, or the holder has passed away.
Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence that can lead to prosecution, a fine of up to £1,000, an order to pay towards the costs of the Council prosecution and a criminal record.
Anyone who suspects that a Blue Badge is being used for the benefit of a person who is not the badge holder can report their concerns using the Blue badge misuse form.