A crackdown on the abuse of blue badges is underway in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with council officers successfully prosecuting three individuals caught misusing the permits across the borough. Two drivers were spotted by officers misusing badges while parked in Gas Road, Pontypridd, and the third was parked in High Street Car Park, Aberdare. Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence that can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record. A penalty charge notice of up to £70 will normally be issued to anyone misusing a disabled parking bay.
Council Action Against Abuse
Each of the drivers was interviewed under caution by officers from the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s corporate fraud team and admitted the offences. All of those caught had displayed blue badges on their dashboards, but when the council’s civil enforcement officers inspected the badges, it was discovered that the true owners of two of the badges had passed away. The other blue badge was found to be a fake, the council said.
Court Proceedings and Fines
The cases were referred to Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court, and all three were found guilty of two offences of possessing the blue badge for use in connection with a fraud, contrary to section six of the Fraud Act 2006. They were issued with a combined fine of more than £1,400.
Following the cases, deputy chief executive and group director for corporate resources, Barrie Davies, said: “People rely on their blue badges and the scheme is designed to help people with mobility challenges access local amenities, so that they can park near workplaces, supermarkets, and health facilities. Illegal and misuse of the scheme denies a space to someone who genuinely needs it.
“It is particularly concerning that two of these convictions involved the display of a badge that belonged to a deceased person. It is not acceptable to misuse this service, and the recent enforcement operation shows that this council is taking action to stop this abuse. This won’t be tolerated in RCT and our dedicated team will continue to regularly patrol areas within the county borough and individuals found to abuse this support scheme will be prosecuted.”
People who suspect that a blue badge is being used fraudulently can report it on the council's website or email Fraud@rctcbc.co.uk.
