Jos Costa, of Exbourne Road, Reading, has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after being caught using a stolen blue badge in Ealing. The case, heard at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on 17 April 2026, is part of a wider municipal crackdown on parking fraud intended to protect accessible spaces for disabled residents.
Costa was charged under Section 115 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. During the proceedings, he claimed the badge was provided by a neighbour and that he was unaware of its stolen status. However, he was unable to verify the original source of the permit. The court imposed a £600 fine, a £240 victim surcharge, and £350 in court costs, bringing the total penalty to £1,190.
Enforcement results since April 2025
This prosecution is one of 12 similar cases brought to court by Ealing Council last month alone. Collectively, these 12 offenders were ordered to pay more than £10,000. Since April 2025, the local authority has maintained a consistent enforcement presence, seizing misused badges monthly to ensure parking availability for those with genuine mobility needs.
| Enforcement Metric | Total Value / Count |
|---|---|
| Successful Prosecutions | 152 individuals |
| Total Fines Issued | £30,500 |
| Victim Surcharges | £11,939 |
| Council Costs Recovered | £93,955.51 |
Policy changes to protect permit holders
Tony Singh, Ealing Council’s assistant director of sustainable transport, confirmed that the local authority will continue to pursue fraudsters. Singh noted that even if a driver claims the misuse was a mistake, prosecution remains a likely outcome.
To further safeguard residents, the council recently updated its parking permit system. These changes aim to reduce the frequency of badge thefts by offering alternative permit options that do not require a physical badge to be left in a vehicle overnight.
New measures for disabled residents
- Extended CPZ Permits: Free Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) permits for badge holders now remain valid for three years, up from one year.
- Free Disabled Bay Permits: These permits are now free of charge and renewed every three years, removing the previous annual £35 fee.
- Terminal Illness Support: Blue badge applications are now processed free of charge for residents with a terminal illness to alleviate financial pressure.
CPZ permits are specifically designed for residents within restricted parking areas, allowing them to park near their homes without displaying the physical blue badge. This measure was introduced specifically to combat the rising trend of vehicle break-ins targeting disabled parking permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Blue Badge inspections and fines increasing across Ealing?
Ealing Council has intensified enforcement to ensure parking remains accessible for those with genuine mobility needs. Since April 2025, the borough has successfully prosecuted 152 individuals, recovering over £136,000 in fines and costs. This crackdown targets the misuse of lost, stolen, or expired permits, as unauthorized parking in disabled bays directly prevents vulnerable residents from accessing essential local services.
How do I use the new Ealing parking permits to avoid badge theft?
To protect residents from vehicle break-ins, Ealing Council now offers Free Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) permits for Blue Badge holders. These digital permits allow you to park in your designated zone without leaving your physical badge in the car overnight. You can apply through the Ealing Council parking portal, providing your badge details and proof of residency to link your permit directly to your vehicle’s registration.
What are the legal risks of using a Blue Badge that isn’t mine?
Using a badge that does not belong to you—even if it was provided by a friend or neighbor—is a criminal offense under Section 115 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. As seen in recent Ealing Magistrates’ Court cases, ‘unawareness’ of a badge’s stolen status is rarely an accepted defense. Convictions often result in a criminal record and total financial penalties exceeding £1,000, consisting of a fine, victim surcharge, and significant court costs.
What should I do if my Blue Badge is lost or stolen in Ealing?
If your badge is missing, you must take these three steps immediately:
1. Report it to the police: Obtain a crime reference number via the Met Police website.
2. Notify the Council: Inform Ealing’s parking team to cancel the badge, preventing it from being flagged as fraudulent if recovered.
3. Request a Replacement: Apply for a new permit via the GOV.UK ‘Replace a lost or stolen Blue Badge’ service. While waiting for your new badge, ensure you use the council’s digital CPZ permit options to avoid being ticketed.
Source: Ealing Council
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