A CRACKDOWN has been launched to target a growing number of blue badge fraudsters in Southend.

The badges allow disabled motorists to park closer to shops and there are currently 7,000 genuine ones in the town.

However, council chiefs say people are either using badges that don’t belong to them, or making fake ones.

To combat the problem they will carry out spot checks and anyone found misusing the system could face a £70 on-the-spot fine or even criminal prosecution.

Toni Mann’s husband Geoff, 76, was diagnosed with a rare disease called scleroderme in 2005 which makes the skin go tough and has meant he now can’t use his hands or walk properly.

Mrs Mann, 73, of Bellevue Road, Southend, said she was pleased the council is doing something to tackle this problem.

She said: “It’s a godsend to have a disabled badge. Sometimes if you can’t park close you might have to push the wheelchair up a slight hill.

“It is the few people that spoil it for the genuine people unfortunately.”

Ron Alexander, chief officer for disability campaign group Dial Southend, said: “We have been asking for this for many years. Unfortunately there are many disabled people out there who suffer because people abuse the blue badge.

“I’m hoping it will make a huge difference to the lives of people in Southend.”

Southend Council’s fraud team will mount a day-long operation in the town along with Essex Police and the council’s parking contractors, Apcoa.

A council spokesman said: “Our civil enforcement officers check blue badges are being correctly used as part of their regular duties and they are now being supported by officers from the corporate fraud team.”

Recently, the South Essex Parking Partnership, which includes Basildon and Castle Point councils, targeted people misusing blue badges in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

A Basildon Council spokesman said six badges, that were either fake or being misused, were confiscated.

He said: “This initiative they hope will be rolled out in council-run car parks in Basildon as well, but there are no immediate plans.”

Fraudulent use and forgery of badges has become so widespread that the Government is taking over the responsibility for issuing them from local authorities.

Councils will continue to process applications but in future all new badges will be issued centrally by the newly created Blue Badge Improvement Service.

From next year, Southend Council will introduce a £10 charge for each successful new badge application.

Anyone with a badge they no longer need or are not entitled to should hand it in at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue, Southend.