The Royal Borough of Greenwich is continuing its work to crack down on parking fraud, with five successful prosecutions against Blue Badge misuse over the last year.
Following a resident from Eltham being convicted for Blue Badge misuse in May, these convictions further highlight the borough’s commitment to ensuring fair and lawful use of parking privileges meant for residents with disabilities.
On Monday 13 May, bus driver Emmanuel George of Bellegrove Road, Welling, pled guilty to misusing a Blue Badge. Mr George was found alone in his vehicle, parked in a designated disabled bay at Calderwood Street Car Park in Woolwich.
On the day of the offence, 2 October 2023, a Royal Borough of Greenwich Civil Enforcement Officer found Mr. George dressed in his bus driver’s uniform using a badge that belonged to a woman. He was charged and fined £216, with additional costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £86.
Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value said: “The misuse of Blue Badges is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of the scheme, which is designed to assist those with genuine disabilities.
“Misuse takes away essential parking privileges from those in need. That’s why we’re committed to protecting disabled residents’ rights by enforcing Blue Badge rules, including legal action against those who break those rules.
“We urge all residents to respect the scheme and report suspected fraud. Together, we can ensure fair and accessible community support for everyone.”
More convictions across the borough
On Wednesday 19 June Connal Toner of West Lawn, Chelmsford, Essex was fined for failing to respond to a statutory notice from the Council. Mr Toner’s vehicle was found displaying a stolen Blue Badge in a permit holders bay on Banning Street, Greenwich. He was fined £80, with a victim surcharge of £32 and £120 in costs.
Alicia Allen of Hatfield House, Greenwich, pled guilty for failing to respond to a statutory notice from the Council. Her vehicle was found displaying a cancelled Blue Badge in a pay and display bay on Greenwich High Road on 7 October 2023. Ms. Allen was fined £253, with a victim surcharge of £101 and costs of £200.
Miss Tanara Peters of Keightley Drive, Eltham, pled guilty to displaying a stolen Blue Badge to avoid parking fees near her workplace after claiming to find it in a car park. Miss Peters was fined £80, with a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £250.
If you suspect someone of committing fraud against the Royal Borough of Greenwich, please call 0800 169 6975 or email [email protected]. Any information you give will be treated in confidence.
