Blue Badge Enforcement Day

Published16th November 2017

Five people have been fined for blue badge misuse in Ipswich town centre following an enforcement day arranged by the Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.
 
Parking enforcement officers and Corporate Fraud Investigators were used to crack down on incorrect and fraudulent use of the disability scheme.

And the message is: “We will not tolerate abuse of the blue badge scheme. If you are using one illegally, we will catch you.”
 
In total, 156 badges were checked; with one in-date badge and one invalid badge seized as well as an expired badge handed in. Five Penalty Charge Notices were issued for related offences – including badge holders parking in areas with a loading restriction and badges not being displayed with a time clock in areas with time restrictions. 

Regular enforcement days will take place to ensure the continued appropriate use of Blue Badges across Suffolk.  It is a criminal offence for a badge holder or anyone else to misuse a badge, and doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.
 
Councillor Philip Smart, Parking Services and the Environment portfolio-holder at the Borough, said: "We were pleased to take part with our colleagues at the County Council to ensure that only people who need blue badges are given them. This was a successful crackdown and is evidence that we will not tolerate fraud.”

Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Care, said: "The majority of blue badge holders in Suffolk use them responsibly and in accordance with the rules; however this operation has shown there are still examples of blue badges still being used for the convenience of people who are not entitled to them, which simply is not on."