Congestion charge creates a new prize for thieves

The London anti-traffic congestion scheme, which currently charges drivers £8 (about $15) to drive into the centre of London, was expanded today, doubled in size in fact, to take in the boroughs of Westminster, Chelsea and Kensington. It has of course been the subject of furious rows before and since its inception, but it does seem to have had the desired effect of drastically reducing the traffic flowing through central London. A lot of the money thus acquired by the Mayor's office has been re-invested in improved public transport facilities and, all in all, the scheme seems to be a success.





One unexpected victim of the success of this scheme has been the unfortunate disabled person who possesses a Blue Badge - giving the holder permission to drive into and park in London without charge. Given that the congestion charge is £8 a day, these badges have suddenly attained a considerable value and, it is said, they are changing hands in pubs for the incredible price of £1600!



No wonder then that hospitals, clinics, theatres etc are reporting that, in their disabled persons car parks, row after row of car is being broken into and the Blue Badge stolen from the dashboard.

It's disgusting that people sink so low. But given that they do, surely it is not beyond the wit of mankind in this technological age to come up with some means of recognition which defeats this kind of theft? It would be no good applying it permanently to a vehicle,for that would limit the options of the disabled to use alternative vehicles but surely we could do something like embed a photograph into the pass, impossible to detach or scrape off? The current badges have no photograph at all and its only if you get caught in a check that your true identity would be revealed - and how often does that happen? It's because, once in your possession, the likelihood of your being discovered as a fraud is so remote that the badges are such a popular target for thieves. We ought to be able to do better.