Bromley Council has prosecuted 13 people for displaying cancelled blue badges when parking in the borough.

The council has issued fines for £6,784 in total to the offenders.

10 cases involved drivers using previously cancelled Blue Badges, with six being reported as stolen, three reported lost and a further one where the badge was being used after the holder had passed away.

In all 13 cases were found to be using parking spaces that they were not entitled to.

Three offenders were prosecuted under section 17 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972 for failing to provide identification information after a suspected misuse incident.

All three of these blue badges were later revealed to have been reported stolen.

In the last year alone there have been 70 similar cases of Blue Badge misuse that took place in the Bromley area.

Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, Angela Page said: “These latest prosecutions, to protect the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme, demonstrate that the measures we take to protect the scheme are extremely effective in bringing offenders to justice.”

“These latest offences result from the circulation and use of cancelled Blue Badges.

“I would strongly urge anyone who is in possession of such a badge to return it to the issuing authority without delay.”

A Blue Badge should only ever be displayed for the benefit of the holder who will meet the schemes eligibility criteria who have a physical or non-physical disability affecting their mobility.

Mr Louis Arlequin of Railton Road, Lambeth, Ms Rebecca Bryan of Harrow Crescent, Romford, Mr Mustafa Cetin of Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, Mr Joseph Gallone of Woodside Lane, Bexley, Mr Samuel Verma of Norman Road, Thornton Heath, and Mr Peter Jays of Woolstone Road, Forest Hill, all displayed stolen Blue Badges.

Mrs Shazia Gohar of The Glade, Shirley, Mr Sebastian Rosca of Abbey Road, Camden, and an unnamed driver from Abbey Wood, displayed badges that had been cancelled after being reported as lost.

Mr Derek Cook of Cranmore Road, Chislehurst, displayed a badge that was cancelled after the holder had passed away.

Angela added: “Don’t be tempted to use the badge under any circumstances, because if you’re caught, the consequences are most often very serious ending in conviction, a fine and a criminal record.”

Blue Badge misuse is a criminal office which could lead to offenders being issues a £1,000 along with the confiscation of the badge.

 

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