1. London Borough of Lambeth
Parking Fraud Partnership
Sharing best practice – sharing success
Ashley Brandon
Parking Investigations Manager
Tel: 020 7926 7720
abrandon@lambeth.gov.uk
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking
www.Lambeth.gov.uk/parking

2. Building on a good foundation
• Lambeth Parking Fraud Team:
– 2 Investigators
– Investigation Manager
– Backed by internal Legal Services Team
– Supported by enforcement contractors NSL
services
– Work with Met Police Safer Neighbourhood
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

3. Building on a good foundation
• Engage with customers:
– Work with Lambeth’s Accessible Transport Team
– Engage with charities and organisations, i.e.
DMUK, local support teams
– Talk to resident and business groups
– Stay up to date with the Department for Transport
and BBIS.
– Provide input into local media and also
industry press.
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

4. Building on a good foundation
• What we’ve achieved:
– First Prosecution in 2006
– Successfully prosecute an average of 150 offences
per year (currently at 820 prosecutions)
– Won the British Parking Association’s Enforcement
Award in 2010
– 2 suspended custodial sentences
– Implemented the first cross-borough fraud
investigations initiative
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

5. How to share best practice
• Wanting to share is key:
– Many local authorities don’t have the appetite to
participate
– What works for one authority may not work for
another
– “We don’t have a problem
with parking fraud”
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

6. How to share best practice
• Why taking action is important:
– Blue Badge Fraud Happens EVERYWHERE
– Genuine users of the scheme are being affected
– Local authorities are being defrauded of millions of
pounds (estimated £4.6 million p/a)
– Show support for local community
by enforcing proactively and fairly
– Publicity on enforcement acts as a good deterrent to
potential future offenders
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

7. How to share best practice
• How can enforcement be carried out:
– Legislation which permits enforcement
• RTRA 1984
• TMA 2004
• Fraud Act 2006 (Common law)
• Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons
Act 1970
• Theft Act 1968
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

8. How to share best practice
• How can enforcement be shared:
– Fraud occurs across borough/county borders
– Look to established teams with proven success
– Use information sharing opportunities
– Spread the cost
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

9. Case Study
• Lambeth – Croydon Partnership:
– Understood there was a cross border problem
– Identified that perceived cost implications were a
deterrent
– Evaluated what resources were available
– Discussed what both sides aimed to achieve
• Spoke to residents, councillors and staff
– Developed a business proposal which took into
account both parties
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

10. Case Study
• Lambeth – Croydon Partnership:
– Initiated training phase based on discussions
– Deployed investigator in Croydon to work with
CEOs
– Altered prosecution process
to accommodate different legal
structure
– Attained goals originally set out
to achieve through regular reviews
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

11. Case Study
• Lambeth – Croydon Partnership
– Identified more than 130 offences during first
term (4 months)
– Recovered around £25,740 in PCNs and removal
fees, including more than £6k in costs awarded on
prosecutions
– Estimated savings in excess of £50k as a result of
enforcement activity
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

12. Case Study
• Lambeth – Croydon Partnership
– Second term commenced in May
– Already identified 40 separate offences after three
weeks of investigations, over £5k generated
– Currently in discussions with Brighton and Hove
Council, Sutton County Council
– Also carry out ad hoc prosecutions for
neighbouring authorities, Lewisham,
Southwark and TfL
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

13. Benefits of Partnership Working
• The Benefits are clear:
– Priority: Genuine badge holders benefit from using
the scheme as it was intended!
– Reduced level of fraud
– Additional income from two streams, i.e.
Enforcement and general income from persons
parking lawfully
– Blue Badge Reform makes it easier to share info
– Happier Residents and visitors
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking

14. London Borough of Lambeth
Parking Fraud Partnership
For more information please contact:
Ashley Brandon
Parking Investigations Manager
Tel: 020 7926 7720
abrandon@lambeth.gov.uk
www.lambeth.gov.ukparking
www.Lambeth.gov.uk/parking