November 30th 2024.
Elaine Hughes considers her blue badge to be an essential part of her life. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, her car was broken into and she believes that the culprit had been observing her movements for some time. They seemed to have singled her out, and she knew exactly what they were after: her blue badge.
It's not the first time that her car has been targeted, and it happens multiple times a year regardless of whether her badge is on display or not. Thieves in her local area are familiar with her car and take a chance that she may have hidden her badge inside. Elaine is certain that it will happen again in the future.
The first time her car was broken into, she reported the crime to the police. When she mentioned that she was disabled, the officer immediately suspected that the thieves were after her blue badge. Unfortunately, these badges are highly sought after and can be sold for anywhere between £500 to £1,000. One of Elaine's stolen badges was even found in a Ferrari, while another was located in Sheffield, hundreds of miles away from her home in London.
According to research from the Local Government Association, using a Blue Badge in London can save the holder around £6,000 a year in parking charges. However, the Department of Transport has revealed that Blue Badge theft has been on the rise, increasing by 45% in just one year from 2016/17 to 2017/18. Elaine sees no indication that this trend will reverse anytime soon.
There is a misconception that stealing a blue badge is a victimless crime because it is just a piece of paper. However, Elaine strongly disagrees. Behind every blue badge, there is a person like her, and the impact of its theft is both physical and financial.
Elaine suffers from Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Osteoarthritis, and Chronic Pain, all of which affect her mobility. She relies on a walker and cannot walk long distances, so having a disabled parking space is crucial for her. Yet, getting her first blue badge at the age of 17 gave her a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before. It allowed her to live her life like any other teenager. However, in the 40 years since then, her badge has been stolen roughly 10 times, and each time, her life comes to a halt.
She becomes confined to her home, unable to attend important events like engagement parties, weddings, and birthdays because she cannot find a disabled parking space nearby. If she has to cancel work meetings due to a lack of parking, it means losing a day's wages. She has even had to cancel hospital appointments, which has a direct impact on her health. It's not just her who is affected; she also has to rely on her friends and family to drive her places, causing inconvenience for them as well.
Elaine's blue badge also ensures her safety. Her car is specifically designed for her and her walker to access safely. However, when she has to resort to taking taxis, her walker has been damaged during loading. As she has gotten older, her condition has worsened, making her more prone to falls, fatigue, and injuries. It's especially dangerous for her to get in and out of a car that is not adapted to her needs.
However, the financial cost of blue badge theft is something that not many people are aware of. Over the years, Elaine estimates that she has spent thousands of pounds on repairing damage to her car, paying for temporary permits, parking fines, and the administrative fees of replacing her badge. The last time her badge was stolen, she spent around £700. Additionally, most councils charge an admin fee to replace a blue badge, which can range from £10 to £30. She also has to resubmit all the required documents, and if any of them are out of date, she has to arrange for new forms.
Elaine is disheartened by the fact that blue badge theft is not taken seriously enough. Every time her car is broken into, she feels like she is starting the ordeal all over again. She tries to understand the reasons behind why someone would steal a blue badge, whether it's for work, to feed an addiction, or to support their family. She knows that times are tough, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. However, she cannot help but feel frustrated and victimized every time her badge is stolen.
In the borough of Haringey where Elaine lives, the council has digitized blue badges, tying them to the license plate of the car she shares with her brother, who is her main carer. This scheme has been helpful as it eliminates the need for displaying a physical badge, making it less attractive to thieves. She wishes that other councils would follow suit. However, it's not a perfect solution as some disabled people do not drive themselves and need the ability to transfer their badge from one car to another. A digital badge limits them to just one car.
Ironically, it's the easy transferability of blue badges that makes them so appealing to thieves. Elaine cannot imagine the hassle and expense that families with more than one blue badge must go through when their badges are stolen. Even her brother, who is her carer, is affected by the theft of her badge. Without it, he has to drive her around, drop her off, help her into the venue, and then drive around in search of a parking space, worrying about her safety.
Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma and shame associated with disability. Many people with disabilities are afraid to speak out, fearing that no one will care. For this reason, Elaine feels strongly about sharing her story. She wants to raise awareness about this crime that will not stop until it is taken seriously.
Disability charity Scope has found that households with at least one disabled person face an additional cost of £975 per month, known as the "disability tax." Elaine believes that she should not have to pay more just to live the same life as everyone else.
In the end, Elaine hopes that by speaking out, more people will understand the impact of blue badge theft on individuals like herself. She also encourages others to share their stories and raise awareness about this issue.
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