Oxfordshire Ceos Plan Clampdown On Disabled Badge Fraud

CIVIL Enforcement Officers working for Oxfordshire County Council are launching a clampdown on fraudulent use of “Blue Badges” – badges which are designed to give disabled drivers dispensations on where they park.

Because the badges allow holders to park in many places where other drivers cannot, they have become popular with fraudsters.

Civil Enforcement Officers have the power to inspect Blue Badges if they think they are being used fraudulently, and can issue a penalty charge notice for cars parked with an improperly used Blue Badge.

As part of the new campaign, they will also report more serious offences to Oxfordshire social services and recommend further action, including police action.

Tim Cowen of NSL, the company which employs CEOs for Oxfordshire, explained. “Blue badge fraud ranges from the milder offences, such as someone borrowing a Blue badge from a relative, to more serious matters such as using the badge of someone who has passed away, or even using a fake badge.

“This is a particularly sneaky crime, since using a Blue Badge is such a way potentially deprives a disabled person access to a parking space. Courts have given stiff sentences in the past to people who abuse this system and we regard it as one of the most important things a Civil Enforcement officer can assist with.”

As part of the clampdown, CEOs will have access to an up-to-date database of current Blue Badges issued by Oxfordshire County Council. They will take action over any they spot which are being used fraudulently, for example badges being used when the holder is deceased, badges being used that have been reported lost/stolen, counterfeit badges and badges that have been tampered with. In such instances they will relay the badge details to Oxfordshire social services, who will have the option of withdrawing badges, or referring it to the police in particularly serious instances.

Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Rodney Rose said: "This sort of fraud may seem like a trivial matter to those who practice it, but the reality is that it impacts directly on disabled people, restricting their ability to access shops and services or family and friends. It is absolutely right that we should make every effort to clamp down on this illegal practice where we find it."

Gwynneth Pedlar, Chair of Oxford City Access Forum, has been calling for tougher action on misuse of Blue Badges. She said: “Holders must show responsibility by guarding their own property, and making sure that friends or relatives do not borrow their badges. In Oxford we have notices that we put on cars that say ‘This space is for Blue Badge Holders only. If you want my space please have my disability’. Hopefully, the Civil Enforcement Officers action will remind people not to park in Blue Badges spaces, or to use Blue Badges when they shouldn’t.”

Notes for Editors.

Key points for Blue Badge holders to remember are:
The badge must have the Expiry Date, Serial Number and Issuing Authority visible and facing upwards.
The photograph must be facing down
Blue badge holders can park on double yellow or single yellow lines for up to three hours - but they must display a time clock showing when they parked
Blue badge holders are not allowed to park on Double Kerb Markings. This is two vertical stripes going from the top of the kerb to the road edge.
Blue badge holders can park in a disabled bay without a time clock, unless otherwise stated on a time plate.
If a clock is displayed, it must be accompanied by a correctly displayed Blue badge. A clock alone does not qualify for Blue Badge concessions
Blue Badge holders are not allowed to park in a Bus Stop - during hours of operation - Taxi ranks, red routes or Urban Clearways.
Blue Badges can only be used if the badge holder is using the vehicle.
Police officers, parking attendants and Civil Enforcement Officers have the power to inspect Blue Badges.

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