Council cracks down on blue badge misuse

East Hampshire District Council caught out motorists fraudulently using the blue badge scheme during a recent crackdown.

Working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council, officers checked the ownership of badges being used in car parks and on streets in Petersfield.

The council’s civil enforcement officers spent a day focusing on drivers who misuse the badge, which offers free or preferential parking for people with disabilities.

During the day, four badges were retained for improper use.

One had expired, one was counterfeit, and two were being used without the badge holder being present.

A driver also refused to produce the blue badge being displayed, and this case will also be pursued.

East Hampshire councillor Julie Butler said: ‘We are the highest-performing council for blue badge misuse detection and retention in the county.

‘We’re very proud of this title as it demonstrates to motorists that we are committed to protecting disabled parking provision.’