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Camden New Journal - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 16 August 2007

Cars seized in parking fraud crackdown

TEN vehicles have been seized in a stealth operation to clamp down on parking fine evaders.
Camden Council got tough after discovering the owners had racked up £16,000 in unpaid fines.
In the same operation on Thursday, a blue badge fraudster, who used his dead father’s disabled permit for over two years was caught.
The majority of the 136 offences tracked by parking chiefs were for leaving cars in residents’ bays without permits.
Of the half a million parking fines issued by the council last year, 30 per cent – over £10 million – remain unpaid.
The council has also uncovered 46 cases of blue badge fraud this year.
It has become a growing problem across London, as parking cheats use badges without a disabled person being present, steal them from other vehicles or use badges from dead relatives.
Environment chief Councillor Mike Greene said: “Camden Council has implemented many changes to parking policy over the past year
to make it fairer for residents and this includes an ongoing commitment to be tough on the worst offenders.
“It is not fair that residents who have a valid permit are denied a parking space by the minority who think they are above the law and can park where they like.”
He added: “This operation is an excellent result and shows these drivers who persistently break the rules that their behaviour will not be tolerated.
“I hope it also sends a warning to blue badge fraudsters who are taking away valuable parking spaces from those in genuine need, that you will be caught.”
Blue badges, issued to disabled drivers or passengers, entitle holders to one hour’s free parking at meters and exemption from the congestion charge. Over the past two years, Camden Council has issued 3,472 blue badges.

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