Nine able-bodied drivers have been fined more than £4,500 after they were caught taking advantage of Blue Badges they were not entitled to in Bromley.

The range of offences included the display of stolen badges, badges belonging to holders not present and using a badge after the holder died.

To qualify for a Blue Badge, which allows them priority parking, a person must have a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

The come with conditions, such as that holders must never allow friends or relatives to use the badge to run an errand on their behalf. 

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Councillor Kate Lymer, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said: “Anyone who intentionally abuses the Blue Badge scheme either doesn’t realise or doesn’t care about the damaging effect their actions have on those with genuine disabilities. 

“As these latest prosecutions demonstrate, offenders will be caught and prosecuted without exception.”

“Even during these unprecedented times, we will continue to uphold the Blue Badge system.

“So, if you’re an able-bodied driver and you’ve got into the habit of displaying a loved one’s Blue Badge for your own benefit, be warned that our enforcement team are checking hundreds of badges every day. 

“Please think very carefully about what you’re doing because if you continue, you will get caught.”

More than 60 motorists have been prosecuted for Blue Badge misuse related offences in Bromley during the last year.

Five drivers who were guilty of displaying a Blue Badge in the absence of the holder were: Mr Alpen Patel of Beckenham Road, West Wickham, Mr Paul Watson of Aylesford Avenue, Beckenham, Ms Molly Mwape Chanshi-Efemini of Blanchdowne, Herne Hill and two drivers from Orpington and West Wickham who could not be named to protect the identity of a child.

Mr Christopher Simpson of Padua Road, Penge, and a driver from Beckenham who could not be named to protect the identify of a child both displayed badges that had been reported as lost.

Mr Ramone Sergeant displayed a counterfeit badge and Ms Kellie Jane Whitlock of Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, was found guilty of displaying a badge on three separate occasions after the holder had passed away.

Mr Raymond Chambers of Cobbold Street, Ipswich, was guilty of failing to provide information relating to the identification of the person driving his vehicle when a suspected misuse incident occurred involving the display of a stolen Blue Badge.  

Six of the Blue Badges associated with these offences were issued by Bromley while the rest were issued by other local authorities. Eight cases involved Bromley residents.