Greenwich Cracks Down on Blue Badge Fraud
Greenwich Council is getting tough on Blue Badge misuse. Over the past year, it has successfully prosecuted five offenders caught abusing the disabled parking scheme.
Fake and Stolen Badges Land Drivers in Hot Water
- Eltham Man Caught with Phoney Badge: Ahmet Colak pleaded guilty at Bexley Magistrates Court after using a photocopy of his disabled son’s Blue Badge on Eltham High Street. Ignoring council requests for info, Colak was hit with a community order for 40 hours of unpaid work, plus £500 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
- Bus Driver Fined in Woolwich: Emmanuel George, from Welling, was caught alone in a disabled bay with a badge registered to a woman. He was fined £216, with extra costs and surcharges totalling nearly £300.
- Stolen Badge Stirs Trouble: Connal Toner from Chelmsford was caught displaying a stolen Blue Badge in Greenwich’s Banning Street permit bay. Toner was fined £80 plus costs and a surcharge.
- Cancelled Badge Displayed in Greenwich: Alicia Allen was fined a hefty £253 for parking with a cancelled badge on Greenwich High Road. She also faces costs and a victim surcharge.
- Badge Misuse to Dodge Parking Fees: Tanara Peters admitted to using a stolen Blue Badge to avoid parking fees near her Eltham workplace. She was fined £80 with additional costs and a surcharge.
Council Warns Against Blue Badge Abuse
“The misuse of Blue Badges is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of the scheme,” said Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value. “It takes away essential parking privileges from those who genuinely need them. We’re committed to protecting disabled residents’ rights by cracking down with prosecutions.”
“We urge residents to respect the scheme and report suspected fraud. Together, we can ensure fair and accessible parking for everyone.”
Suspect Blue Badge Fraud? Here’s How to Report It
If you spot suspicious Blue Badge use anywhere in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, call 0800 169 6975 or email [email protected] to help protect the scheme’s integrity.
