Blue Badge thefts quadruple in London in nine years - data shows (UK) 9/June/2024

Описание: The number of Blue Badge thefts in London has more than quadrupled in the last decade, new figures from a London Assembly member have revealed.

While 1,230 of the badges were stolen in the capital in 2014, the number has risen almost every year since then to hit 6,415 in 2023.

Blue Badges are intended to help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination, but fraud is widespread in London and other big cities across the country, Blue Badge Fraud Investigations (BBFI) said.

Mik Scarlet, who has had his badge stolen four times since 2010, said when he does not have the badge it "shrinks my world" as it is difficult to get around.

The data was released in response to a written question from Unmesh Desai, a Labour member of the London Assembly.

Mr Scarlet, a wheelchair user who lives in Camden, north London, told BBC News: "Mine has been stolen four times now and it happened so often I thought 'oh, not again'".

The method used to steal the badge has involved smashing windows on the car, he said.

So often has this happened, Mr Scarlet said, he now keeps his badge in a "blue metal cage with a padlock".

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