Throughout this year, we’ve been raising concerns about the rising theft and misuse of Blue Badges in London and the UK as a whole. The statistics released from an enquiry by Unmesh Desai, London Assembly Labour lead on Policing and Crime, worrying statistics revealed that Blue Badge theft has quadrupled over the past decade – aligning with our findings.
In response to this, we partnered with Mr Desai and MP Liam Conlon to push for meaningful change.
This collaborative effort culminated on Thursday, 5 December, when a motion addressing Blue Badge theft and misuse was raised and unanimously passed by the London Assembly. The motion, proposed by Marina Ahmad AM and seconded by Joanne McCartney AM, emphasised the severity of these crimes and called for decisive action. You can read more about the details of this motion, here.
After being passed unanimously, the motion – which reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to protecting disabled motorists – was debated in the House of Commons, marking a significant step forward. We were thrilled to see these efforts acknowledged in Parliament, with Sir Keir Starmer addressing the matter and recognising its importance:
“Look, theft of a blue badge is appalling. Depriving people of their independence and ability to travel with confidence has a real human impact every single time, and that’s why we’re working closely with local authorities to help them tackle fraud and misuse. And I’ll make sure [Liam Conlon] has a meeting with the relevant minister.”
This progress is a testament to what can be achieved when communities and policymakers work together. But the fight is far from over. Blue Badge theft remains a serious issue, and we’re calling on everyone to join us in taking action, reporting fraud when you see it, and of course highlighting the need for enforcement to your Local MPs. Together, we can combat Blue Badge fraud and ensure the independence and safety of disabled individuals across London, and the UK as a whole.
Watch this space!
As a Community Interest Company, BBFI – The National Agency for Blue Badge Fraud Investigations has a team of experienced investigators, including ex or retired police officers who partner with local authorities to investigate and prosecute those that are misusing Blue Badges. Being on the ground and providing support on a local level is just one of the practical ways we help local authorities drive down incidences of Blue Badge misuse. We are also instrumental in gathering evidence for badge prosecution cases.
BBFI is working tirelessly to tackle Blue Badge crime. Local authorities find partnering with us helps them reduce Blue Badge fraud. If you’re a local authority looking for help in this area, get in touch. Contact us to find out how we can help to enforce the Blue Badge scheme in your local area to increase compliance and improve safety for local people.
