Torfaen’s Disabled People’s Service, which administers the scheme in the borough, is receiving phone calls every week from people who are being approached by strangers in Cwmbran who try to force them to ‘sell’ their Blue Badges.
And some of those who have been approached have reported being intimidated when they have refused to agree to the ‘deal’ on the spot.
“People have reported that the perpetrators of this scam are stealing to order and are very open about why they want the badges,” said manager Mel Firminger. “They are selling them on to people who travel regularly across the two Severn Crossings so those drivers can avoid paying the toll.”
There are currently 8,300 Blue Badge holders in Torfaen and the council has seen a significant increase in lost/stolen badges in the past three years.
In 2006/07, 43 such cases were reported; this rose to 76 last year and the figure is set to be even higher this year.
The problem is now so bad that the council is considering using its statutory investigative powers when a Blue Badge is reported ‘lost’ rather than automatically re-issuing it for a £2 fee as they have done in the past.
“We know the majority of people who report lost or stolen badges are genuine,” said Councillor Brian Mawby, executive member for health, social care and well-being. “However, we want to remind people that it is a criminal offence to display a Blue Badge for the purposes of evading parking charges or road tolls when the car driver or passenger is not the legitimate owner of the badge. If people agree to sell their Blue Badge to a stranger, they are themselves committing a crime.”
The Blue Badge scheme was introduced to help disabled people remain independent and get out and about in their own vehicles.
Nearly three years ago, Torfaen council warned its residents about fake Blue Badges that were flooding the market and exchanging hands for up to £800.
If you suspect someone of selling or using a forged blue card, please contact the Disabled People’s Service on 01633 648795.
