A crackdown on disabled badge cheats by Ealing Council has resulted in four people being arrested for their fraudulent use.

Council Parking Attendants teamed up with the Police to carry out a series of patrols throughout the borough targeting those illegally using blue badges.

In addition to the arrests, six penalty charge notices were issued for the use of stolen/missing disabled badges and five for the misuse of disabled badges (using a badge belonging to another individual).

This is the first time that the Council has led such an extensive operation to tackle blue badge fraud. The illegal use of disabled parking permits has been seen as an increasing problem over recent years, with individuals stealing badges or using someone else’s badge.

Councillor Sue Emment, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "People who misuse blue badges are not only breaking the law, they are selfishly making life more difficult for people who genuinely need parking exemptions."

"The Council will continue to crackdown on this fraud to protect the rights of our disabled residents."

Quite a few disabled residents around Southall Broadway have had their car windows smashed and the disabled badges stolen. After going through the tedious/labourous task of getting a replacement, some are not prepared to leave it in the car at night. If they fail to put it in the car in the morning (residents parking), they can expect to be fined.

Blue badges, issued to disabled drivers or passengers, not only allow free parking and parking in restricted areas, but also exempt holders from the £8-a-day congestion charge in London.