By Alexandra Rogers, political reporter
To mark the international day of persons with disabilities, Labour MP Liam Conlon is highlighting how blue badge theft is on the rise.
Blue badges allow people with disabilities or health issues to park closer to where they need to be.
Thieves are ‘stealing independence’
Data compiled by Mr Conlon, who is registered disabled and holds a blue badge himself, shows theft of blue badges in London has quadrupled in the last decade.
London Councils, which represents local authorities across the capital, has calculated the cost of losing a blue badge to a disabled person is at least £6,000 in increased parking charges – plus the cost of reporting and replacing the badge.
Mr Conlon is now calling on councils to use their powers to clamp down on those who steal these “lifelines” for disabled people.
He described the rise in thefts as “shocking”, and said he knew it had a “devastating impact” on disabled people.
“When someone steals a blue badge, they’re stealing someone’s independence – limiting the ability of disabled people and their families to socialise, go to work, and live a normal life,” he said.
‘Clampdown’ needed
He added: “I’m calling on local authorities across Britain to use their existing powers to prioritise checking blue badges.
“And where they are stolen, to issue fines and bring the perpetrators to court so we can clamp down on this.”
Mr Conlon was just 13 when he shattered his right hip in an accident, leaving him unable to walk for four years.
He is one of the youngest people in Britain to have a hip replacement.
