It’s not big and it’s not clever to abuse the Blue Badge scheme
Written by Shaun Moore on May 19, 2010
Gloucestershire County Council has teamed up with Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire Police to tackle Blue Badge fraud. 
In two recent week-long operations in Cheltenham and Gloucester, 20 Blue Badges were confiscated, 4 warnings were issued and 13 people are in the process of being prosecuted.
Following on from this success, a specialist informal blue badge fraud parking team is being set up by the county council to tackle this persistent problem. There will also be further targeted operations in other parts of the county during the summer.
Cllr Stan Waddington, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Using a stolen or fake Blue Badge or allowing a family member or friend to use them is fraud and it prevents drivers with a genuine need being able to find a space to park.
“By working together and tackling Blue Badge abuse and fraud, we can increase the availability of spaces for genuine Blue Badge users.”
Anyone caught fraudulently using or abusing Blue Badges could face prosecution. The maximum fine if someone is convicted is £1,000 or even a custodial sentence if the badge is a fake or stolen. Misusing a Blue Badge by allowing other people to use it could also result in the badge being taken away.
Councillor John Morris, cabinet member for built environment at Cheltenham Borough Council said: ‘’We welcome any enforcement that makes sure those who are entitled to blue badges are the rightful users and holders of this facility. Misuse has to be stamped out and we support the county council in its operation.’’
Gloucester City Council Leader, Paul James, commented: ” We have worked closely with Gloucestershire County Council, the Police and our parking contractor Apcoa Parking UK. The impact of the Blue Badge Fraud initiative has been very positive. We have had very good feedback from genuine badge holders who have been checked and appreciated what we are trying to achieve. Blue badge misuse and fraud impacts on disabled residents and visitors and limits their ability to access everything from essential supplies, to general shopping and entertainment.”
Sue McClung, from the Gloucestershire Disability Forum, said: “I am sure that each and every member of Gloucestershire Disability Forum would be delighted with any efforts to tackle Blue Badge fraud.
“Disabled drivers feel that Blue Badge fraud impacts on them as it adversely affects the general public’s view of blue badge holders as a whole. They, quite rightly, question why an able-bodied person has a badge, not realising that the badge is a fake or being misused.”
If you suspect Blue Badge fraud, please report it to your district/borough parking teams
Gloucester and Forest; 01452 396724
Cheltenham; 01242 264114
Stroud; 01453 766321
Tewkesbury; 01684 295010
Cotswold; 01285 623000
Try to get as many details as possible from the badge on display (name, serial number, expiry date etc).
The council will investigate and take action if the badge can be shown to be displayed fraudulently.
