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Blue badges seized in successful operation

Author: Nina Romain

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Last week saw a successful two-day crackdown on disabled parking badges being used fraudulently, resulting in 17 cases of Blue Badges being misused – the largest amount seized this year.

Officers from the council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT), NSL parking officers and police carried out a blue badge misuse operation.

Spot checks were carried out on 103 blue badges being displayed in parked cars in and around the Burnt Oak, Mill Hill, Temple Fortune and Finchley Central areas.

In total, 17 cases of misuse were identified and 13 badges were seized, two of which were being used despite the fact the permit holders had died and two had been reported stolen.

The operation also resulted in 22 parking penalty charge notices being issued; 16 related to blue badge misuse and a further six for parking related contraventions.

The drivers caught breaking the blue badge rules could now face prosecution.

Blue badges can only be used by the named badge holder, or by a person who has dropped off or is collecting the holder from the place where the vehicle is parked. It is a criminal offence for anyone else to use a blue badge in any other circumstances.

Councillor Richard Cornelius, Leader of Barnet Council, said:

“This excellent result serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can use a blue badge which is not rightfully theirs. Blue badges are given to our residents in genuine need, and we will take a firm line on anyone who exploits the system for personal gain.

“Since April, our CAFT have investigated 103 cases of blue badge fraud and we will continue to clamp down with further spot checks around the borough.”