Reminder for disabled motorists after rise in blue badge thefts – Watford

Disabled motorists in Watford are being reminded to remove their blue parking permits from their vehicles overnight after police identified a recent rise in thefts.

Since Wednesday 9 August, there have been five incidents in which a blue badge has been reported as stolen from a vehicle.

On three out of five occasions, the badges were taken from vehicles parked outside the owner’s address overnight.

A black Vauxhall Astra was broken into on Estcourt Road between 5pm on Wednesday 9 August and 6.30am on Thursday 10 August. A blue disabled badge was taken, along with some coins and tools. (Crime reference 41/64178/23)

Overnight between 9pm on Monday 14 August and 11am on Tuesday 15 August, a grey Skoda was broken into on Lower Paddock Road. Sunglasses and a blue disabled badge were taken. (41/65358/23)

Between 1.30pm and 3.45pm on Tuesday 15 August, a blue disabled badge was stolen from a Hyundai i20 in Bermer Road. (41/65788/23)

Overnight between 9.30pm on 16 August and 3.30pm on Thursday 17 August, a blue disabled badge was stolen from a white Vauxhall in Asda car park on St Albans Road. (41/66091/23)

Between 3pm on Friday 18 August and 1pm on Saturday 19 August, a blue disabled badge was stolen from a grey Honda in Raphael Drive. (41/66644/23)

Inspector Dan Jones, who leads the Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We’re urging those with disabled parking permits to remove them from their vehicles overnight, because we’ve identified a crime series where we believe vehicles have been targeted specifically for the badges.

“We know these permits are a lifeline for those with reduced or limited mobility and without one, it can sometimes be impossible for them to carry out their day-to-day activities.”

If you have information about any of the crimes mentioned, report it online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting the relevant reference number.

Always dial 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Alternatively, members of the public can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.  

You can use our community voice platform ‘echo’ to let us know what you think we should be prioritising in your area. Your anonymous feedback will help towards shaping our local policing priorities, initiatives, and campaigns. Visit bit.ly/police-watford and tell us what you think.

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