Callous crime.
Disabled people who rely on special parking zones are increasingly falling victim to a crime that can leave them house-bound and isolated.
Government figures* profiled last month show theft of blue parking badges almost tripled in a year.
Some 2.4 million people use blue badges allocated by local authorities. Thieves steal the badges to avoid parking fees or sell to others.
Louise Tennuci of Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead research and campaigns team said:
“This is a callous crime. Blue badges allow people with disabilities to get out and lead a normal life. The thieves are leaving them housebound and isolated until the facts can be established and replacement badges allocated.
“We hope the new publicity will mean more awareness of the consequences and more efforts to catch those responsible.”