Residents in areas of Hillingdon closest to Harrow, such as Northwood Hills and Ruislip, may be affected as Hillingdon Council launches a Blue Badge amnesty to address disabled parking permit fraud.
The amnesty, running from 18 November to 2 December, allows residents to return badges they are not entitled to, without any questions or consequences.
Over 14,000 residents in Hillingdon hold Blue Badges, which provide vital support for those with disabilities and serious health conditions who face mobility challenges.
Residents can return expired badges, badges belonging to others, or badges that are no longer needed at collection boxes in the reception areas of the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, Botwell Green Library, and Northwood Hills Library.
During Fraud Awareness Week, from 17 to 23 November, the council is also highlighting types of fraud, efforts to tackle it, and encouraging residents to report suspected fraud.
The council’s counter fraud team has saved over £5.8 million this financial year through fraud prevention and is among the top in the country for recovering social housing, reclaiming 103 properties.
Cllr Martin Goddard, Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: “Blue Badges help people with disabilities and health conditions park closer to their destination but sadly they can be abused which is unfair on those that rely on the exemptions and dedicated parking spaces.
“We have prosecuted 11 people for Blue Badge fraud in the past year with each receiving a fine, and we are giving people who may be misusing them this opportunity to return them with no questions asked.”
Anyone suspecting council-related fraud can report it confidentially at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/reportfraud or by calling 0800 389 8313.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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