The six-month trial aims to protect vital parking spaces available for blue badge holders and ensure the integrity of the blue badge scheme. If you're disabled, you can apply for a blue badge which allows you to park closer to your destination. In just the first few days of joint operations, BBFI inspectors identified multiple cases of blue badge abuse, including:A new partnership has been launched between Enfield Council and Blue Badge Fraud Investigations (BBFI) in collaboration with NSL Services to crack down on the misuse and fraudulent use of blue badges in the borough.
The use of a stolen blue badge
A reported lost badge in use
A deceased badge holder’s badge in use
Two cases of badge misuse, where the badges were not being used by the badge holder or where the owner was not present at the time
These early results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Council’s new proactive stance with BBFI and NSL.
Cllr Rick Jewell, Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste, said: “Misusing or abusing blue badges is not a victimless crime. It directly harms blue badge holders who rely on accessible parking to go about their daily lives. We are taking this issue seriously and have launched this partnership with BBFI to send a clear message: if you misuse a badge in Enfield, you will be caught and face consequences. This partnership reflects our commitment to fairness, accessibility and protecting the rights of those who genuinely need support.”
It is a crime to use an expired, cancelled, stolen, fake or altered blue badge. It is also an offence to give your badge to someone else when you are not with the vehicle. Enfield Council will continue to target misuse in hotspot areas and encourage residents to report suspected blue badge fraud by emailing the team directly at: enfield@bbfi.org.uk
Paul Slowey, Founder and CEO of BBFI, said: "Blue badge misuse is a callous crime that impacts disabled people every day who, as a result of it, are not able to access the parking that they need. The early results from our joint operations speak for themselves. In just the first few days, we've identified multiple cases of serious blue badge abuse. We look forward to working with Enfield Council and NSL, targeting hotspot areas and building on these excellent early results. Together, we're sending a clear message that blue badge fraud simply will not be tolerated. The scheme exists to serve those who genuinely need it - the disabled community in Enfield who we are proud to protect and support through this work."
A spokesperson from NSL added: “This partnership aims to ensure that the blue badge scheme serves its intended purpose providing essential parking access to individuals who genuinely need it. By combining our efforts, we strive to uphold the integrity of the blue badge system, ensuring that those who genuinely need it can benefit without hindrance. Together, we are committed to fostering a fair and accessible environment for all residents of Enfield.”
Any vehicles found to be displaying a fraudulent or misusing a blue badge are deemed to be in breach of parking restrictions and would be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice and the vehicle may be removed to the Council’s car pound. The person responsible for misusing a badge can be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000, or have their badge taken away.
You can find out more on our Disabled Person’s Parking Permit page. For further information on BBFI and their work tackling Blue badge fraud across the UK, visit: www.bbfi.org.uk.