By Rory Bennett

Hounslow has seen increasing rates of Blue Badge fraud and thefts sparking concern for both the council and local police. The London Borough of Hounslow Policing team has said that is actively trying to combat people fraudulently using Blue Badges but says it is hard to convict a permit theft when there are no witnesses.

Concern over misuse and theft of Blue Badges has gotten so bad that Officers have carried out a joint operation with the Council CEOs supported by our Concessionary Transport team to conduct Blue Badge verification checks. Hounslow Council has said that Blue Badge theft and fraud affect some of the most vulnerable people and say they will prosecute anyone found to be cheating the system "without exception".

Blue Badges, which cost £10 in England to get or renew, is designed to help disabled people have access to parking spaces and other areas which make buildings more accessible. Blue Badges usually let holders park for free:

• on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to
• in disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit
• on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there's a 'no loading' sign

Increasing numbers of theft of permits could be down to the parking benefits as a result of using them. Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Parking, Parks and Leisure, said: "It saddens me to learn that this type of dishonest, shameful abuse is happening in our borough as it is genuine Blue Badge holders who suffer as a result of fraudulent use.

"I am pleased that our officers are continuing to be vigilant with their Blue Badge checks and offenders are being brought to justice.

"I wonder if these offenders realise that they took away a parking space from someone in genuine need. When Blue Badge holders cannot park close enough to where they need to go, they may end up abandoning their appointments or planned trips.

"We will continue our routine checks and prosecute without exception. We have the means to check the validity of a Blue Badge instantly. So, if you are misusing a Blue Badge, it is only a question of time before you are detected and prosecuted."

Inspector Anil Sharma, of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "The London Borough of Hounslow Policing team are actively looking into an increase of thefts of blue badge permits. Officers have carried out a joint operation with the Council CEOs supported by our Concessionary Transport team for Blue Badge verification checks.

"Unfortunately the police can struggle in progressing an investigation to a conviction of an offender when there are no witnesses, no CCTV and no forensic opportunities. The safer neighbourhoods strand will continue to work in conjunction with the council to combat and convict offenders and will continue to share information along with deliverance of crime prevention advice and visibility of patrols in the local areas."