Brent Council handed out six penalties to those illegally displaying blue badges last week as part of a crackdown on disabled parking fraud.

Its counter fraud team took part in a joint operation with the police and traffic wardens along Kingsbury Road.

After checking 62 blue badges, they punished five drivers for fraudulently using one and handed out a sixth fine to a vehicle which had been towed.

Cllr Shama Tatler, responsible for parking at Brent Council, praised the operation and said it will serve as a warning to those who try to abuse the system.

She said: “This successful operation is our warning to fraudsters – we will do everything we can to protect the quality of life for our disabled and vulnerable residents.

“We will continue to clamp down on and, where evidence permits, prosecute those caught abusing the Blue Badge scheme.”

She added that blue badge use is a vital tool to those who genuinely need it and, when they are used inappropriately, it can stop them finding a parking space.