Blue Badge has been confiscated !!! - ADVISE Please

yus786

Hi all

My brother is disabled (High Rate DLA/Mobility etc) and has been using his Blue Badge for years.

Now today my dad took the car into town - to do both - some errands for my bro and also going to the bank for himself (to be honest).

He parked the car in a pay and display spot and upon returning to the car after 15 mins was confronted by 2 undercover policeman/wardens (don't know for sure who they were)

They showed their ID and asked to see the badge. Upon seeing it asked where my bro was. My dad panicked and lied saying he's somewhere shopping. They asked again but this time he came clean and said he's at home but I'm here on his business (part truth).

They said you can no longer run errands for a BB holder, took the badge and gave him a notice type leaflet - which says something like "Your BB has been taken as it's being used fraudulent etc etc etc. You may get a fine, you may be prosecuted etc etc"

I need some advise

1. Can we no longer run errands for BB holders?
2. What would happen to my dad? Will he get prosecuted? He's 66, ill himself and this excess stress/worry is making him very ill indeed.
3. What would happen to my brother? They have taken his BB - will he get in trouble from the DLA people? He's worried he might loose his benefit.

You have have been really helpful and I'm very grateful. I need some urgent advise

Many thanks

danio_2

Basic rules

Never stop your vehicle where it will obstruct traffic or pedestrians.
Never stop on white 'zig-zag' markings.
Never park on the pavement (except in areas where signs indicate it is legal).
Always observe the special parking rules in force in Central London or at Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
Do not allow others to use your blue badge unless you are traveling with them - this is a criminal offence.
Remember to display your badge or your vehicle will not benefit from the scheme

http://www.newham.gov.uk/Services/BlueBadgeParkingScheme/AboutUs/BBRules.htm

yus786

sleepymy wrote: »

Was your Dad using the badge to park for free?

Is he sure it wasn't a scam?

Do you mean am i sure my dad wasn't scamming or are you saying has he been scammed?

Please i want advise and not a kick when ones down.

Like i said my dad went to the pound shop, and woolies for my bro and then went to the back for himself.

isitenough

You haven't mentioned whether he paid or not? If not, then they had every right to stop him. But if he did pay, then they have no issue.

ps. I'm sure people here would advise you, but we need all the facts. Paying or not is a big fact.

As for the scam part of #2's post, i think they meant your dad could have been scammed, ie. not who they said they were.

yus786

isitenough wrote: »

You haven't mentioned whether he paid or not? If not, then they had every right to stop him. But if he did pay, then they have no issue.

Ah ok - no he didn't pay. I see what you are saying.

isitenough

Ah right, well that's part of the problem I guess. He was using it for free parking when really he had no right to. Kinda like the people I see parking in disabled spots in supermarket car parks and then leave the person in the car while they pop into the shop! but anywho I digress...
Did the leaflet say anything about who to contact or does he just have to wait? Did he get a good look at the ID badges and was sure they were real?

isitenough

Hope it works out for the best. I think this has probably taught your Dad a lesson and he won't do it again will he.

All the best.

peter999

yus786 wrote: »

...was confronted by 2 undercover policeman/wardens (don't know for sure who they were)

They showed their ID and asked to see the badge. Upon seeing it asked where my bro was.

and gave him a notice type leaflet - which says something like "Your BB has been taken as it's being used fraudulent etc etc etc.

Does anything look genuine or have you been conned ??
What you say about the "2 undercover wardens" & notice are pretty scant.

Blue Badges are very valuable.

I would suggest if you now think you've been conned, you have been conned.

peter999

sonee2405

But how can they just keep a watch on someone and assume that the badge is being used fraudulently?If they were judging on appearnce then you don't have to be in a wheelchair to qualify for the badge, some people have illnesses which are not visible! What is a blue badge holder is too ill to come out e.g to pay bills on time and has to ask someone to do that for them and that person does not want to pay parking then is using the badge for the parking wrong?What if you have to park in town every day of the week to do various things would they consider a badge holder too well because they go into town everyday?what if the person is at home and the driver uses the badge without the persons knowledge would they not retun the badge as its not the holders fault?

Flash_2

Anyone can run errands for someone that has a blue badge, but unless the disabled person is actually in the car with them at the time, the badge is not to be used.

If the car is a motability car, nominated persons {usually two I think} are also allowed to drive the car. The disabled person must be either in the car or the nominated person MUST be doing an errand for them, so it shouldn't be used just by a nominated person to go about their work for instance.

Another point, if the disabled person is in the car whilst it's parked & the driver has gone shopping, then unless the disabled person gets out, the car shouldn't be parked in a disabled bay either.

yus786

I'm baffled now - i think my dad may have been conned.

I have the notice here - issues by Greater Manchester Police

To the European Blue Parking Permit Holder:

Dear sir/madam

Your European Blue Parking permit has been confiscated by Police as we suspect that it has been misused/used fraudulently. This is a criminal offence ... (then states a few acts)

If you have been informed there will be a prosecution, the permit will be kept by police as an exhibit for court and then later returned to the issuing office. You will be informed if you are required to attend court.

If you have any queries - please contact - the has some name and numbers

Then we they took his statement (name, address etc) - this was done on a pad type book but they never gave him a copy.

My bro's gonna ring the council tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks for all the answers.