This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38467758
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Councils fail to prosecute over blue badge fraud | Councils fail to prosecute over blue badge fraud |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Drivers who misuse blue badges for the disabled are left unpunished by 40% of councils in England, according to the Department for Transport. | Drivers who misuse blue badges for the disabled are left unpunished by 40% of councils in England, according to the Department for Transport. |
| Blue badges entitle drivers to free parking in pay and display bays and allow them to park in disabled zones. | Blue badges entitle drivers to free parking in pay and display bays and allow them to park in disabled zones. |
| Analysis by the Press Association showed that 61 out of 152 local authorities do not have a penalty policy for the dishonest use of badges. | Analysis by the Press Association showed that 61 out of 152 local authorities do not have a penalty policy for the dishonest use of badges. |
| The disability charity Scope said it was a "staggering" number. | The disability charity Scope said it was a "staggering" number. |
| The penalty for misuse of the badges is stiff, according to the RAC Foundation, with fines of up to £1,000. | |
| "But that is no deterrent if councils have no policies for prosecutions," the foundation's direction of motoring research Steve Gooding said. | "But that is no deterrent if councils have no policies for prosecutions," the foundation's direction of motoring research Steve Gooding said. |
| He added: "Abuse of the system creates huge levels of ill feeling and risks bringing into disrepute the whole scheme, which is invaluable for those who really need it." | He added: "Abuse of the system creates huge levels of ill feeling and risks bringing into disrepute the whole scheme, which is invaluable for those who really need it." |
| Stolen badges | Stolen badges |
| In 2015, there were 2.39 miliion blue badge holders in England, official figures show. | |
| Councils in England took legal action against 896 people for abuse of blue badges in the year to the end of March 2016, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). | Councils in England took legal action against 896 people for abuse of blue badges in the year to the end of March 2016, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). |
| Almost all of the cases involved drivers using another person's blue badge. | Almost all of the cases involved drivers using another person's blue badge. |
| James Taylor, Scope's head of policy, said councils have a duty to disabled people and to taxpayers to tackle the issue. | James Taylor, Scope's head of policy, said councils have a duty to disabled people and to taxpayers to tackle the issue. |
| He said: "Many disabled people rely heavily on their blue badges to live independently and we need to crack down on misuse of the system wherever possible. | He said: "Many disabled people rely heavily on their blue badges to live independently and we need to crack down on misuse of the system wherever possible. |
| "It appears that some councils take their work to weed out those who are not disabled more seriously than others." | "It appears that some councils take their work to weed out those who are not disabled more seriously than others." |
| Earlier this year, the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed that the number of blue badges stolen in England had trebled in three years. | Earlier this year, the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed that the number of blue badges stolen in England had trebled in three years. |
| The LGA said there were 2,056 cases of theft recorded in 2015 compared with 1,756 in 2014 and 656 in 2013. | The LGA said there were 2,056 cases of theft recorded in 2015 compared with 1,756 in 2014 and 656 in 2013. |
| However, the LGA disputed the accuracy of the DfT's report on councils' lack of policies, saying that some councils listed as not having a policy for prosecuting abuse of the scheme do have reporting mechanisms for such incidents. | However, the LGA disputed the accuracy of the DfT's report on councils' lack of policies, saying that some councils listed as not having a policy for prosecuting abuse of the scheme do have reporting mechanisms for such incidents. |
| A spokesman for the LGA said: "Councils take blue badge fraud seriously and are working hard to combat it. | A spokesman for the LGA said: "Councils take blue badge fraud seriously and are working hard to combat it. |
| "Gathering evidence and mounting a prosecution can be time-consuming and expensive, but councils know their areas and are best placed to decide the most effective way to tackle it." | "Gathering evidence and mounting a prosecution can be time-consuming and expensive, but councils know their areas and are best placed to decide the most effective way to tackle it." |