As part of a clampdown on Blue Badge fraud, Croydon Council has successfully obtained convictions in 45 cases over the past year.
The crackdown on the misuse of Blue Badges has also resulted in the seizure of 136 badges and led to 42 vehicles being towed during its first year of operation.
The clampdown is part of Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour and environmental crime, which has seen tougher action being taken against those whose actions blight the borough.
Blue Badge misuse takes essential parking away from people who genuinely need it making everyday activities such as shopping, visiting family, and attending medical appointments much harder.
The Council is clear that misusing Blue Badges, whether stolen, counterfeit, cancelled, or belonging to a deceased person, is a criminal offence that will not be tolerated.
Those convicted receive a criminal record and can be fined up to £1,000. Anyone whose vehicle is seized must also pay £280 to get it released, plus £55 per day in storage fees.
Over the past five weeks, seven people have been prosecuted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. They are:
Stacey Harnwell of Lewisham was fined £440 for using a stolen badge and ordered to pay an additional £480 in costs and a victim surcharge of £176, totalling £1,096.
Edward Nigel Antwi-Nyame of Newham misused a badge belonging to a care home they managed. They were fined £293 and ordered to pay £260 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge, totalling £670.
Lasik Malik of Bensham Manor failed to explain who was using their car when it was displaying a counterfeit Blue Badge. They received fines totalling £1,096.
Hannah Louise McPherson Peters of Addiscombe used a stolen badge and was fined £440 and ordered to pay £480 in costs and a victim surcharge of £176, totalling £1,096.
Thamalingam Thavaeasan of Croydon was convicted for using a deceased person’s badge. They received a conditional discharge for three months and were ordered to pay £100 in costs and a victim surcharge of £26, totalling £126.
Kendrick Martin Smith May of New Addington used a badge belonging to a family member and was fined £150, and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £60, totalling £295.
Zara Grande of Sutton failed to explain who was using their car when it displayed a counterfeit Blue Badge. They received fines totalling £365.
“My zero-tolerance approach to environmental crimes and antisocial behaviour is making Croydon a cleaner, safer borough.
“Residents told me they wanted tougher action – and that is exactly what we have taken. With more than 40 people convicted of Blue Badge fraud, and more enforcement action in the pipeline, we are acting to stop this selfish crime from happening in our borough.
“Let me be clear: if you are found to be abusing a Blue Badge in Croydon, we will investigate, seize vehicles and do everything we can to bring offenders before the courts.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
