Blue badges seized in crackdown

Four blue badges were seized during a day of action tackling abuse of disabled parking badges in Eastbourne.

East Sussex County Council said one of them was taken from a person who was using their dead mother's badge.

Council and Sussex Police officers inspected 98 badges in a crackdown which also targeted unlicensed drivers, and untaxed and non-insured vehicles.

Four vehicles were reported for excess speed while six were stopped for being untaxed or uninsured.

Ten vehicles were clamped by the DVLA for not having paid tax.

Blue badge misuse is a growing problem Rupert Clubb

One motorist was stopped for dangerous driving.

And 67 outstanding court fines were collected by the Marston Group, which is a certified enforcement agency.

County transport chief Rupert Clubb said: "Blue badge misuse is a growing problem."

He added: "Fraudulent use of the badges takes up the parking spaces that are desperately needed by those people who are genuinely disabled."

Eastbourne Borough Council, which worked with the county council on the day of action, said it was hoped the operation would deter other people in this "despicable crime".