Press Release

HFI tackles blue badge fraud

June 2008

Homes for Islington (HFI) has been clamping down on blue badge fraud on Islington’s estates.

The initiative has been tackling cars illegally displaying blue badges which have either been stolen or forged.

Twenty illegal badges have been found and five cars have been towed away as a result of the investigation. HFI’s campaign follows similar successful action by Islington Council in tackling blue badge abuse in street parking.

Doug Goldring, HFI’s Director of Operations said: “The blue badge scheme was introduced to help disabled people get around more easily. Abuse of the scheme is disadvantaging those who genuinely need the badge to make their lives easier. We will continue to investigate potential abuses and pursue those who carry it out.”

Fraudulent use of a blue badge is a criminal offence and carries a fine of up to £1000. If you know of someone abusing the scheme to park on an Islington estate you can report it confidentially to the HFI estate parking team on 020 7527 8669.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact James Asser in the HFI communications team on 020 7527 4379 or email james.asser@homesforislington.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Homes for Islington, one of the UK’s largest arms length management organisations (ALMO), which began operations in April 2004, is charged with managing council housing stock throughout the borough. It is owned by Islington Council and managed by a Board of Directors, made up of Islington tenants and leaseholders, council representatives and independent members.