Forum Topic

How to spot Blue Badge fraudulent use.

Misuse amounting to fraud has increased in the last three years and successful prosecutions have been doubled in England and Wales. But how does one recognise a fraudulent user? I don't know what the regulations and rules are for Blue Badge use - anyone know?

Gerry Tan ● 4509d28 Comments

You can sometimes spot the fraudsters when you see them jumping from the vehicle and  charging across the street to the nearest betting shop Gerry!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4509d

I do know Gerry as I, unfortunately, have to use a Blue Badge.The full regulations fill a small A5 size book but, essentially, the Blue Badge has to be used by the person to whom it was issued or by someone driving a vehicle conveying that person (as example a parent or carer).It gives one the privilege of parking on a single or double yellow line where it is safe to do so or in a CPZ for a defined period.I will not go into my reaction of those who occupy the few disabled spaces that we have or those who abuse this privilege (for which I am very grateful) save to say that the abuse needs to rigorously enforced and many more fines issued, perhaps only then the message will be understood.

Nigel Brooks ● 4509d

The few clearly marked spaces for disabled customers at Waitrose and Tescos are sometimes used by seemingly fit and agile customers, usually solo drivers. These parking spaces are very near the entrances to allow Blue Badge customers quick and easy access to the supermarkets, but are misused by some customers.

Gerry Tan ● 4508d

I know someone who had a blue badge while she was having treatment for cancer. By looking at her  you would never have known. Thank goodness she doesn't have it anymore as she has had the all clear for over a year.

Jaz Brown ● 4508d

I'm glad your friend was able to get a blue badge while being treated for cancer, Jaz. My friend was told she couldn't have one while awaiting a hip replacement as her condition was only temporary!

Susan Kelly ● 4508d

I have never had a problem at Waitrose with finding a disabled bay. They have a generous provision for the size or car park and the staff are not adverse to asking those obviously not disabled to 'please find another space'.Tesco's is a 'free for all' and the staff couldn't give a tuppney damn. Guess where I shop now?

Nigel Brooks ● 4507d

The old Waitrose had one disabled bay which was no wider than the others. They've gone a bit too far in the other direction in the new car park.

Susan Kelly ● 4507d

I must praise Waitrose's car park especially their 'drop-off 'n pick-up' pull-in point very near their entrance.

Gerry Tan ● 4507d

There are plenty of people who legitimately hold a blue badge, but are easily able to walk a little bit further if they had to. You can't tell me that there aren't a substantial amount of people who qualify for blue badges who see it as free parking or priority parking. I would like the criteria to qualify for a blue badge to be tightened up, so it is only ever granted by those that most need it.

Ben Owen ● 4507d

Gerry , Did these seemingly fit drivers have a blue badge on the car?  If so Nigel is that against the rules even if they are a supposedly cater?

Charles Campbell ● 4507d

It has been tightened up and the 'doctor's letter' is no longer adequate to qualify. Most new applications call for substantive medical evidence data from a consultant or other specialist) of a continuing condition. The majority are issued to those who have a significant mobility impairment and a 'walking assessment' is conducted.Councils can issue 'discretionary' badges.Unlike cyclists I guess who can belt down the road without any assessment at all - sorry Ben, couldn't resist.

Nigel Brooks ● 4507d

Charles, yes it is if they are not conveying/collecting the person to whom the badge was issued.They may well have been so doing, but you see such abuse of the scheme that it really does need policing properly.It is a police matter (under Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) with a maximum £1000 fine (sadly. magistrates often only impose a nominal fine) .

Nigel Brooks ● 4507d

Thank you.

Charles Campbell ● 4507d

Nigel,To be clear, I am complaining about those who, on paper, are eligible to claim for one but only bother to do so as a money saving exercise. I am only speaking up for those who really do need the Blue Badge and parking space.

Ben Owen ● 4507d

BenThe eligibility criteria are now, at last, very strict.All new claimants now have to undergo a walking assessment administered by an independent qualified health professional.It is the renewal of discretionary badges that is an issue.If there were 'more than a few' maximum fines for abuse of this privilege it would make the systems better for all.I, for one, would be quite happy to pay for my parking (indeed Blue Badge holders have to pay in Westminster/ Camden/ City of London and an increasing number of local authority areas) if the spaces were accessible and not occupied by either non Blue Badge holders or 'badge abusers'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4507d

I was surprised, but hers was only temporary. Anyone who can not walk far should have one.

Jaz Brown ● 4507d

Cancer is one of the very few (God willing) temporary conditions that does qualify. You need a statement from either your oncologist or a MacMillan Practitioner to qualify for a temporary badge.Hip replacements, like most orthopaedic procedures, are temporary ailments and do not qualify.

Nigel Brooks ● 4507d

I once challenged somebody about parking in a disabled bay and received the (understandably) angry response "if you had what he had then you would need to park here as well".This experience was thirty years ago now and I was absolutely mortified as I immediately realised the offence (albiet unintentional) that I had caused.I had made the classic error of expecting some clear outward "sign" of disability and had not realised that, for example, perhaps the gentleman concerned had a serious breathing difficulty or heart condition or similar.The experience still haunts me to this day (so now I just get angry when I think I see abuse going on but keep it to myself - just in case I get it wrong again - same goes for people parking in the slots reserved for those with kids as well).

Tony Colliver ● 4503d

Like button pressed

Charles Campbell ● 4503d

We have a relative of my wife who has alzheimers and a condition which prevents lubrication of the joints. However she looks perfectly normal.Her husband and carer has had a hip joint. Severeal ailments and the full time occupation of carer. Limited pedestrian mobility for both.And yet the advice from the GP and social services is don't even try to apply for a permit either blue or orange.Yet they have a neighbour over the road who has had a few non incapacitating and recoverable illnesses who does get a permit. Yet the fellow also rides a bike locally and speed walks every two days.None of it seems quite level and fair

Anthony Waller ● 4502d

It all depends how limited the mobility is. Anything over 20 metres at a 'normal' pace and you have no chance of a badge under the current regime.Hip replacements never counted and Alzheimer's on its own would not qualify either I'm afraid.

Nigel Brooks ● 4502d

We quite often observe what we believe is the blatant misuse of the Blue Badge, usually by solo drivers who don't appear to have a disability and who use the permit to park and shop, mostly in the centre of town.

Gerry Tan ● 4502d

With respect Gerry, not appearing to have disability does not mean they're not entitled to have a blue badge.I suffer from an IBD and as such, have the right to use disabled toilets.  I could get an NKS key if I wanted but I have not yet had the need.  On the very rare occasions when I actually use a disabled toilet, I often hear snippy remarks from people and only yesterday had someone say to me "you don't look very disabled".  It's pretty insensitive.

Andy Vaughan ● 4502d

Andy, I understand your plight and I hear where you're coming from, but I'm told that a Blue Badge owner should accompany any carer who is driving the vehicle - I was referring to solo drivers who seem to be the mis-users, not the owner.Incidentally, I always use lavatories for the disabled and young Mums with babies, 'cos I am myself disabled. They are the cleanest and the most conveniently sited usually. Any observer eyeing me can see my difficulty in walking.

Gerry Tan ● 4502d

Perhaps the none fraudulent users could all get appointments for the healing rooms on northfields as the chap there has daily use of a badge which he parks all day most days on in the park and shop bays, yet he can carry massage tables/chairs in one hand and throw them into his car unaided, jeez I have a problem with a 2 lt bottle of milk.

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4487d

Just report itTel: Ealing Fraud hotline - 0800 328 6453 (free-phone) Address: Audit and investigation, PO Box 14942, London W5 2ZT Email: fraudreferrals@ealing.gov.uk

Nigel Brooks ● 4487d

Thanks Nigel, I never knew they existed

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4486d

Nor did I until I Googled it.Let's see how effective they are.

Nigel Brooks ● 4486d