Two drivers have been caught out by council Enforcement Officers for illegally using Blue Badges meant for residents with disabilities. 

Following complaints from residents, on Friday 29 October, Barking and Dagenham Parking Investigation Officers carried out an inspection of Tomlins Orchard, Barking and surrounding roads.

 They investigated a vehicle parked with a Blue Badge in a permit bay on Shaftesbury Road, Barking. Following checks of the badge, investigations revealed it was issued by Hackney Council and had been stolen.

Officers immediately contacted the council’s vehicle removal contractor and had the car taken to the car pound for the driver to collect. Before collecting the vehicle, the driver had to surrender the Blue Badge, pay a sum of £200 storage fee for the removal of the vehicle and any outstanding parking fines. The driver also faces prosecution for the illegal use of the badge and could receive a fine of up to £1,000 as well as a criminal record.

Enforcement Officers also investigated a vehicle parked with a Blue Badge in a permit bay on Abbey Road, Barking. After checking the badge, investigations revealed it was counterfeit.

The vehicle has been taken to the car pound for the driver to collect. It will only be released to the driver after he surrenders the Blue Badge and pays for the storage and removal of the vehicle. The driver also faces prosecution for the illegal use of the badge and could receive a fine of up to £1,000 as well as a criminal record.

In addition to this, a vehicle on Hardwick Street, Barking was taken to the car pound after it was discovered that the driver had 45 outstanding parking fines. The driver was required to produce evidence of their address and confirmation that the vehicle was registered in their name, alongside volunteering to make a substantial payment against the outstanding fines.

Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destination - it’s despicable that people would be prepared to use stolen or fake Blue Badges to try and get around parking restrictions. They deserve to be named and shamed as well as ending up with a criminal record.

Councillor Dominic Twomey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Core Services said: “Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destination - it’s despicable that people would be prepared to use stolen or fake Blue Badges to try and get around parking restrictions. They deserve to be named and shamed as well as ending up with a criminal record.

“We absolutely won’t tolerate this in Barking and Dagenham, and we promptly responded to complaints from residents and caught these individuals in the act. I would like to thank everyone in the Parking Enforcement Team who was involved in these cases.”

Residents can report misuse of a Blue Badge by emailing mobility@lbbd.gov.uk