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?

That she needs to report him is absolutely black and white, although not easy. Otherwise, she is risking prosecution (for both of them I think, though willing to be corrected), a large fine and revocation of the badge.

He is abusing her. This absolutely IS abuse. If she can she needs to let the relevant authorities know about it or it can't be taken into account.

Would he still help himself to the badge if she took to keeping it in her handbag? That is where my mother keeps hers and nobody except her goes there unless asked.

Quote the post you are replying to to make it clear which it is.

I know you’re asking on here but could you speak to the Blue Badge team at your local council and explain what’s going on and get some advice. Maybe do it anonymously.

As harsh as it sounds I’d seriously consider reporting this officially yourself somewhere (even if you can’t do it anonymously). Explain that you’re concerned your friend is being abused or is being manipulated because of her disability and she is powerless to stop her partner.

I just think it’s better for her - or someone on her behalf if she doesn’t understand the consequences or is afraid to do it herself because of the repercussions - to do it than the partner being caught and them both ending up in trouble.

So you can only use the badge if the disabled person leaves the car?

Yes. So if we go to the shop but it’s just my husband going in we park in a normal bay. If it’s me going in too, when I’m up to it, we can park in disabled.

You should only use the badge if the disabled person (the badge holder) is with you and is going to leave the car.

That is clear and unequivocal in the terms of use of the badge.

I’ve faced so much more abuse lately than normal because I don’t look disabled, especially if using my partners nicer car and it’s people like this that seem to make it ok for people to abuse me. They don’t even wait for me to finish parking, they’ve stood in the space to stop me, they’ve punched my car and shouted abuse as well as the more traditional dirty looks and tuts.

While I wouldn’t report to the police because if your friend has it she will clearly need it, you ought to be clear and concise with her about the repercussions of him being caught and what it means for her.

There will be a difference between her allowing him to take it and him taking it with her being aware but not permitting, in terms of legal repercussions but either way it will hit them both and their relationship hard if they’re caught out.

It sounds very much like you are weighing up reporting him. This would be very difficult for your friend. How about you stay out of it? She has told you because she thinks you are her friend, not so you can report it.

I know my pp was sarcastic but really what do you think should happen if you report it to the local council then it will only affect your friend in the long run be it she is fined or her partner takes it out on her if he is caught..

Part of me is wondering if the OP is actually the 'friend'.

maybe but reporting them would only affect her and maybe her safety, the partner using the badge is awful I'm not advocating blue badge misuse at all..

Er, no. You're wrong so you don't need to worry. What about my post saying about their children, shared finances and their dependancy suggested that I'd ever do that

Ooo caught me 😂 no, I'm not my friend but this is such a weird mn thing I keep seeing like 'gotchya'. Who cares, the situation remains the same

nobody is trying to catch you out , some times posters just have vague original posts to keep their situations from outing them.

Just to clarify it you can use it to pick up as well. www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england#:~:text=The%20badge%20is%20for%20your,are%20being%20collected%20or%20dropped.
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I also remember reading case law where if for example one person is picking up from hospital and someone else is dropping off that's OK too as both are using for the benefitof the holder and as long as you swap ASAP. Or something like that. Not that I can find that link now. 🙄

I know you aren't, I was referring to the one I quoted. I've seen it on lots of threads and never understood the need to say it 😂

yes you can use for dropping off and picking up.the badge holder in different cars if needed,

You just seem massively invested that's all.

She's turning a blind eye whatever her reasons are, so therefore I think it's safe to say she'll have Googled the possible consequences.

If she hasn't, maybe she's not as bothered as you are?

As others have said, it's a criminal offence, not just a civil one (like a parking ticket). I live in a controlled parking zone and there is a lot of misuse. I have witnessed police and council officers perform a"sting" on someone who was known to be misusing a relative's to park freely in the zone - fraud is viewed very poorly by the authorities.

Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence, and people do get prosecuted for it.

I remember a friend taking me to Tesco, and parking in the Blue Badge spaces. The badge was her husbands (he was not with us). It pissed me off, as it was a misuse of the badge and space, but I didn't say anything.

Why are you so aggressive with all the capital FFSs. No need. Also, people with disabilities or vulnerabities aren't 'useless' but... Nice

No, but many people believe this. The badge holder has to be present, they do not have to leave the car.

Also, the person who the blue badge (BB) does not belong to can be in the car alone (with the badge in the window,) as long as the person the BB belongs to is nearby. Eg; in the doctors, or dentist, or optician, or pharmacy - or in a shop or post office etc. It's OK to sit in the car with the BB, even if you don't own it, as long as the BB owner is close by/in striking distance.

According to the government website It is a criminal offence for you or anyone else to misuse the badge. I have a badge and it's always been that way. If my partner takes it to avoid parking fees then I am allowing my badge to be misused. Your friend doesn't have a defence unfortunately and the rubbish her other half is coming out with about his it's only him that will get in trouble is exactly that. Rubbish.

@ConJob not correct. If they’re not leaving the car then they don’t need a disabled space.