Seven able bodied drivers have been fined more than £2,000 after they were caught taking advantage of Blue Badges they were not entitled to in Bromley.

The range of offences includes the displaying of stolen badges, those belong to family members in their absence, using a badge after the holder died and failing to produce one on inspection.

Fines totalling £2,426 including court costs and surcharges were issued to the defendants.

Councillor Kate Lymer, Bromley’s Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said: “I am shocked at the very serious nature of these latest offences and dismayed that the only reason for it seems that it saves a bit of time or a few pence.

“I wonder if these drivers realise that their completely selfish actions are massively impacting on the everyday lives of genuine scheme users. 

“Perhaps now that they have a criminal conviction and all the unpleasant consequences that go with it, they will realise how serious this type of abuse is and think twice before committing an offence in the future.

“Drivers need to realise that driving away from the scene of the crime is not the answer and anyone who thinks we won’t catch up with them is sadly mistaken.

“Where misuse is proven, we will take steps to identify the keeper or hirer of the vehicle and if our correspondence is ignored, we will prosecute.”

Since the beginning of 2019, more than 80 motorists have been prosecuted for Blue Badge misuse offences in Bromley.

Of the seven most recent cases, four drivers displayed Blue Badges belonging to family members in their absence, these were:  Mr Cagan Ercaglayan of Galahad Road, Bromley, Mr Salvatore Russo of Beaconsfield Road, Mottingham, and two drivers from Bromley and Orpington who could not be named to protect the identity of a child. 

Mr Christopher Jackson of Gander Green Lane, Sutton was found guilty of displaying a stolen Blue Badge.  

Mr Caner Sanli of Ryder Drive, Rotherhithe, was found guilty of three offences; using a lost/stolen badge, failing to produce a disabled persons parking badge for inspection and providing false information relating to the driver of the vehicle.

Miss Elaine Treadwell of Thrale Road, Streatham, displayed a Blue Badge that had been cancelled after the holder had passed away.

Five of the badges displayed when these offences took place were issued by other boroughs. Four of the defendants are Bromley residents.