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NSL's Civil Enforcement officers joined officers from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Counter Fraud and Corruption Unit, Police Officers, and Kingston's Parking Services team in a joint operation last week, targeting the misuse of the Disabled Blue Badge scheme.

Blue badges are available from the council to persons with restricted mobility, enabling them to park free within the borough and to use designated disabled spaces.

Six badges were confiscated during the exercise as they were being miused, while two people were arrested for misuse under the Fraud Act. One of the vehicles involved was seized by the Police for having no insurance.

The exercise was conducted following complaints that students attending university were parking in resident bays and Pay and Display bays using blue disabled badges, thereby avoiding payment and preventing others from using the bays. All of the drivers found to be misusing the disabled badges were issued with Penalty Charge Notices. The two arrested drivers face potential prosecution.

Roy Thompson, Kingston's Service Director Planning and Transportation, said: 'I am really pleased at the success of this operation in tackling such an unpleasant form of fraud. This builds on the regular patrols NSL Civil Enforcement Officers undertake in conjunction with the Police against badge misuse, and the daily checks being made all over the Borough by our staff.'

Mary Tam, Kingston's Head of Revenue and Benefit Services, added: ' We do not tolerate fraud or abuse of the services that we deliver. As a result of partnership work this week we have confiscated six blue badges and helped to remove an uninsured vehicle from the street. This work frees up the parking bays for use by honest members of the public.'

Ends.