The challenge
We have been working with the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) since 2005. Since then,
we’ve expanded our services with them to include civil parking enforcement (CPE), debt recovery,
back-office processing support, and design and consultancy services. As part of our CPE contract
with the Council, they requested our on-street parking team to assist in tackling Blue Badge fraud,
which we have been supporting since 2012. Fraudulent Blue Badges often arise from badges that
are stolen, lost, cancelled or expired. Additionally, misuse can occur when a badge continues to
be used by a relative or friend after the original holder has passed away. According to the Blue
Badge Fraud Investigation (BBFI) organisation, one in five Blue Badges in the UK are found to be
fraudulent, and LBWF was keen to address this issue. The impact of Blue Badge misuse on the
community includes: Reduced accessibility for disabled individuals Increased mobility challenges
for those who are unable to secure a parking spot close to their destination Financial impact on
local authorities Strain on resources to investigate fraudulent badges Parking congestion
The solution
In partnership with the BBFI, our on-street Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) have been expertly
trained to recognise and report suspected Blue Badge fraud. Suspicious activity can include: How
the badge is displayed on the dashboard Obscured badge number The overall appearance of the
badge Incorrect time/date input on the badge Once a suspicious badge is reported to the BBFI,
they verify its validity using their system and may visit the vehicle for further inspection. If the
badge is found to be fraudulent, we collaborate with the BBFI to use our removal services and tow
the vehicle to one of our local pounds. In all cases, offenders are taken to court for their misuse,
and we are tasked with providing evidence packs of the offence. Our CEO also attends court to
present the evidence and assist during the hearing.
Impact
From 2022 to 2023, we helped Waltham Forest seize 375 fraudulent Blue Badges, and over 2,050
since 2012. Additionally, we have 375 convictions to date. This strict enforcement has ensured
parking spaces for those who genuinely need them, enhancing accessibility for disabled individuals
and reducing their mobility challenges. The Council has benefited from financial savings and
optimised resource allocation, as fewer fraudulent badges lessen the strain on enforcement and
administrative resources. Additionally, reduced misuse has eased parking congestion, improving
traffic flow and availability for residents and visitors. Our partnership with the London Borough of
Waltham Forest has strengthened public trust in the Blue Badge scheme, ensuring fairness and
effectiveness for all.
For more on the impact of our initiatives, watch the full segment on BBC Morning Live.
“Working with NSL has been crucial in our fight against Blue Badge fraud. Their expertise and thorough approach has contributed to the recovery of thousands of fraudulent badges, freeing up vital parking spaces for those who truly need them. The impact on our community has been notable, with improved accessibility and increased trust in the Blue Badge scheme.”
–Dieter Hering, Head of Parking & Network Operations, Neighbourhoods and Environment at London Borough of Waltham Forest
