Disabled badge misuse?

[Boofshoes]

I've just had lunch with a friend at a soft play so I was expecting a light afternoon. They confided in me that their partner has started taking their disabled badge and using it without them with them when they are wfh. I told them it's a criminal act and they said they've told them that but can't stop them. Will my friend get in trouble if someone reports it or will just the partner?

The last bit especially, yes, me too. I wouldn't want the repercussions on the children or my friend but it's unbelievable someone in a position of trust would even risk it. Thank you for the care in your posts, it's nice to read

OP, is your friend able to show that he/she indicated on his/her Blue Badge application (or the PIP claim that led to his/her automatic entitlement) that he/she had neurological, memory or other relevant issues? And/or was vulnerable in some way?

I appreciate that you may not know this, as it's a level of detail to which you might not be privy.

I think if the Local Authority ever investigate this, it may affect how it views his/her culpability.

I don't know to be honest. I know the partner gets a carers discount places when they go out as a family, would that count?

The badge holder would get into trouble. She knows it happening. Not sure how much clearer people can be with you.

I think you should report them to the police immediately!

I'm afraid you are wrong @mrsbyers.

Please read this:

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

Taken from: www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport

Yes, as has been said, she needs to confiscate/hide the blue badge from him. I know someone who recently lost their blue badge because her husband used it when he was in Aldi (she wasn't with him.) She doesn't know when - or IF she will get the blue badge back!

Your friend needs to stop her husband doing it @Boofshoes

I don't think the blue badge holder will get into trouble though. I would like to see evidence of this (if anyone has it.) Not being funny or goady, I just genuinely think the person who owned the blue badge would not get into trouble. (Not if they didn't know about it.) I could be wrong.

I have and I don't.

Why are you being rude? I'm just asking for clarification 🤷‍♂️

Im not being rude. You asked why she can't put it in her bag and I explained that in my prior post

Boofshoes · Today 16:57

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · Today 16:56

How is she ‘letting’ him take it? Can’t she remove it from the car when she’s not using it, and hide or lock it away somewhere?
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I'm not going to go into their private medical situation but part of it effects memory and the partner generally keeps hold of it

But she does know about it.

Unless she lies to the police?

Ok well she needs to ask for it back and if he refuses, report him for theft.

That's the only way she's going to guarantee she won't be prosecuted if he's found out.

Would you report your partner to the police for theft, the parent to your children, the payer of bills and shared finances, so easily and expect no repercussions, especially when you yourself have vulnerabilities? It's not that easy or black and white

Where is he using it? If it's private car parks like Aldi etc it can't be enforced anyway so worst case he gets a parking ticket. The issue is if he uses a council car park or on road parking. I would be more worried about the abuse towards your friend than him parking illegally. I dump my car all over if needed and risk the fine if desperate.

Oh really? I didn't know that. I'm not exactly sure where as their child came running out of the play area before we had finished talking about it

It's not the police who enforce the blue badge scheme if you're in England, it's the local authority (according to my blue badge booklet, at any rate). The local authority can and do interview people under caution though, and I can't imagine it's a pleasant experience for a vulnerable blue badge holder.

I know my LA will interview the badge user first, as they (the LA) have seen it all before. I think it's the parking manager and the deputy who have the training and accreditation to do interviews under caution. It's not the wild west.

Also, if her car is classified as disabled and he's using that too, even bigger crime.

Cars aren't classified as disabled. People are.

Motability cars have named drivers though, and the disabled person needs to be in the car when the badge is being used.

Then what do you think she should do to guarantee not getting prosecuted?

I don't know, I can just appreciate it's bit black and white. Is that what you would do?

Who? You haven't quoted anyone.

Report a man to the police for stealing my blue badge and refusing to give it back, which may result in my prosecution?

Yes.

It's not 'a man' though is it.

Oh 😂 sorry, whatevermates post was supposed to be quoted

They/them whoever.

You've asked what I would do and I've told you.

No, I didn't mean that. I meant it's not some generic random man, its:

Boofshoes · Today 17:39

Would you report your partner to the police for theft, the parent to your children, the payer of bills and shared finances, so easily and expect no repercussions, especially when you yourself have vulnerabilities? It's not that easy or black and white Edited
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I don't know how to double quote, sorry

You'd report in the above circumstances when you're vulnerable and dependent on them, yes?

YES. What do you want from me, my blood? 🤣🤣

He clearly doesn't give a shit about her, and if she's worried about being prosecuted, it's the only way she can guarantee she won't be.

I don't think I can be any clearer?