Blue badge fraudsters fined in council crackdown
Tuesday, 5th January 2016.
Three blue badges have been seized and six people were fined in Ipswich town centre following a blue badge enforcement day arranged in partnership by Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and the East Suffolk Districts.
Parking officers took the street to crack down on incorrect and fraudulent use of the disability scheme.
In total 148 badges were checked with eight expired badges handed in and three in-date badges seized for misuse. Six Penalty Charge Notices were issued for related offences – including non-badge holders parking in disabled bay and a badge holder remaining in bay over the 3 hour time limit
Cllr Rebecca Hopfensperger Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Care said: I am aware that the majority of blue badge holders use their badges responsibly and in accordance with the rules; however this operation has shown clear examples of blue badges still being used for the convenience of people who are not entitled to them.
“These cases demonstrate fraudulent use of the badge with vehicles being parked dishonestly in designated disabled bays. This of course prevents genuine badge holders, people actually in need of help, from using them.
“Drivers should consider the problems this misuse causes for people with genuine need. If we catch drivers using blue badges without the named holder present, we will prosecute”
“I am also pleased that a number of blue badge holders and members of the general public commented on how pleased they were that the enforcement day was being undertaken”
Cllr Philip Smart, Parking services and the Environment portfolio- holder at Ipswich Borough Council said; "We were pleased to take part with our colleagues at the County Council to ensure that only people who need blue badges are given them. This was a successful crackdown and is evidence that we will not tolerate fraud.”
Parking officers took the street to crack down on incorrect and fraudulent use of the disability scheme.
In total 148 badges were checked with eight expired badges handed in and three in-date badges seized for misuse. Six Penalty Charge Notices were issued for related offences – including non-badge holders parking in disabled bay and a badge holder remaining in bay over the 3 hour time limit
Cllr Rebecca Hopfensperger Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Care said: I am aware that the majority of blue badge holders use their badges responsibly and in accordance with the rules; however this operation has shown clear examples of blue badges still being used for the convenience of people who are not entitled to them.
“These cases demonstrate fraudulent use of the badge with vehicles being parked dishonestly in designated disabled bays. This of course prevents genuine badge holders, people actually in need of help, from using them.
“Drivers should consider the problems this misuse causes for people with genuine need. If we catch drivers using blue badges without the named holder present, we will prosecute”
“I am also pleased that a number of blue badge holders and members of the general public commented on how pleased they were that the enforcement day was being undertaken”
Cllr Philip Smart, Parking services and the Environment portfolio- holder at Ipswich Borough Council said; "We were pleased to take part with our colleagues at the County Council to ensure that only people who need blue badges are given them. This was a successful crackdown and is evidence that we will not tolerate fraud.”
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