An undercover enforcer is out and about on the streets of Aberdeen targeting the city’s blue badge cheats.
Hundreds of people who have difficulty walking or getting about have been given the permits by the local authority.
The badges allow them to park in disabled spaces and spare them what would otherwise often be a painfully long walk to and from their vehicles when out shopping, socialising or visiting family.
But many people abuse the system – by forging badges or stealing or using someone else’s.
And the city council’s specialist investigatory officer, who cannot be identified, has warned that the cheats were causing disabled people unnecessary pain and grief.
He said: “A lot of people think it’s a licence to park anywhere, but it’s certainly not, there are a lot of rules and restrictions around blue badges.
“Some people keep their badges in their car, and if other people have access to the car there’s the temptation to use it as free parking.
“But it clogs up spaces which genuinely disabled people could have taken, it inconveniences them and causes animosity.
“When I ask to see genuinely disabled people’s badges, they are always extremely happy to do so, as they’re so grateful someone is out there stopping people from taking their much-needed spaces.”
During a patrol in Schoolhill in the city centre, the officer caught one woman wearing a leopard print top parking in a disabled space.
But after the officer inspected the badge, it was clear that it did not belong to her.
The officer said: “It was her boyfriend’s uncle’s badge. She was about to leave her vehicle for work, and admitted to using the disabled space.
“I confiscated the badge using the powers that I’ve got, and I’ll be in contact with her in regards to what’s going to happen next.
“She has admitted it, so it might be a straightforward procurator fiscal report, but I could also give her a warning.
“And this boyfriend’s uncle, if he knowingly let her use it, he could be prosecuted as well.
“People need to know that there can be severe repercussions for this.”
If you know of someone abusing the blue badge system, e-mail the officer at reportbluebadges@aberdeencity.gov.uk.