Four able-bodied drivers have been fined more than £2,000 after they were caught taking advantage of relatives' Blue Badges in Bromley.

Salih Chimen of Boundary Road, Sidcup, was guilty of displaying a Blue Badge when the holder was not present.

Two other parents from Catford and Downham, who have not been named to protect the identity of a child, were also guilty of the same offence.

This was a second conviction for the unnamed driver from Downham, who was also prosecuted for a similar Blue Badge offence which took place previously.

Mr Denzil Duncan of Durham Avenue, Romford, failed to provide details of the individual who was driving his vehicle when a suspected Blue Badge misuse incident occurred.

Fines totalling £2,298 including court costs and surcharges were issued to the four defendants, who committed the offences between June and October last year.

Since the start of 2019, more than 60 motorists have been prosecuted for similar Blue Badge misuse offences in Bromley.

Councillor Kate Lymer, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said: “I appreciate that our town centres are very busy at this time of year and parking spaces are scarce, but I urge anyone who drives on behalf of a badge holder not to take the risk of displaying the badge in their absence.

"It may seem harmless to use the badge to nip into a nearby shop, but if the holder is not present, this is misuse and our zero tolerance applies.

"The serious consequences include prosecution, a fine and a criminal record.

“Misuse deprives those with genuine disabilities from parking as close to their destination as they need to and for this reason, we will continue to do everything we can to protect the Blue Badge scheme."