Fraudulent use of disabled people's parking badges - known as 'Blue Badges' - could result in them being confiscated and cancelled.
That is the warning from East Dunbartonshire Council's Community Safety Team, who are targeting a number of issues relating to Blue Badges, including:
- People parking where they are not entitled
- Use of expired badges
- Badges being misused by friends/relatives (eg when the individual to whom the badge has been issued is not present).
Changes in the law mean that Community Wardens can seize badges being fraudulently used and/or cancel them altogether.
The responsibility for proper use of a Blue Badge lies with the badge holder. It is a criminal offence for anyone to misuse it and doing so could result in a £1,000 fine, a criminal record and confiscation.
Thomas Glen, Depute Chief Executive - Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said, "Concerns have been raised about the misuse of Blue Badges and the impact it has on law-abiding members of the public - particularly people with mobility and accessibility issues.
"If you are caught fraudulently using a disabled person's parking badge when you are not entitled to do so, it may result in you receiving a criminal record and the holder losing their Blue Badge."
The Council's Community Safety Team ran an enforcement campaign in October 2016, where a total of 62 Blue Badges were inspected. Seven were seized as a result of misuse.
Anyone wishing to provide information on potential misuse is urged to call 0300 1234 510.
Meanwhile, Blue Badge holders are being reminded they can park for free in all of East Dunbartonshire's Council car parks - even where charges are in place.
If you have a Blue Badge then you are entitled to park in Council car parks without charge - regardless of whether it is in a disabled bay or not - as long as your Blue Badge is prominently displayed.
You don't even have to obtain a ticket for the initial free two-hour period - provided your badge is on show.
Charges are in place for a number of town centre car parks (Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm). The first two hours of parking are free for everyone, but there is a sliding scale of charges thereafter.
For more information, visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/parking
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