0:00:03 > 0:00:05Never before have so many on-the-spot fines
0:00:05 > 0:00:07been issued in Britain.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10We're going to be following the men and women who hand out over
0:00:10 > 0:00:14?30 million worth of tickets every month.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Oops. Round here, they are an absolute blight.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18I am up to 104 now.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Wow. That is disgusting.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Just walk away.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24'For behaviour that's downright dangerous...'
0:00:24 > 0:00:27That was stupid for these sort of conditions, wasn't it?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29'..simply selfish...'
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Look at the mess you've created in the street.
0:00:31 > 0:00:32How is that our fault?
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Or just... What is he doing?
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Well, plain silly.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38What a doughnut.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41'We'll be revealing the cost of their bad behaviour...'
0:00:41 > 0:00:43?100 fine.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Pays ?260.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Ouch. '..and how this could affect you.'
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I'll give him a punch. Do you want to see me kick off?
0:00:50 > 0:00:51The police are on it...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53What the...?! Sir!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55..the parking wardens are on it...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57They should be thanking us for being here.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58'..and I'M on it.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Careful, it's a 30mph limit here.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I'm Dom Littlewood,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and I'm On The Spot.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05This time...
0:01:07 > 0:01:10..there's no hiding place in the battle of the bins.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14I'm trying to give you a fixed penalty now or it will go to court.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16I'm on the spot with the speed cops...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18I'm reporting you for consideration of the question of
0:01:18 > 0:01:20prosecuting you for speeding.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23..as they find and fine the speeders.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Quite shocking, really.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29And there's something nasty waiting for the litter patrol.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31There were three needles that were exposed,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34so that kid could have easily picked it up.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40It's market day in Romford in Havering.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47But Kam Paul isn't shopping for fresh fruit and veg.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50She's in the market for something else.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Parking fines.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Obviously, if an entire car park in
0:01:55 > 0:01:58the middle of a town centre is closed,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02all the vehicles that would normally park there are going to
0:02:02 > 0:02:05find an alternative, and it will be
0:02:05 > 0:02:08the surrounding area that gets busier.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Kam is a traffic warden in North East London.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15With so many vehicles and so few spaces,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Kam is armed with the power to issue ?130 on-the-spot fines
0:02:19 > 0:02:23to any driver guilty of making the parking problems worse.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26You're going to get into more confrontation with people,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29which is something you really don't want.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Um, you just want to get through the day smoothly and peacefully.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Because that alone is a miracle in this job.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40If you ever have one of those days
0:02:40 > 0:02:44where none of the drivers come back and you don't get abuse from anyone,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46it's a weird feeling.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50You're like, "Oh, my God, I didn't get abused by anybody today!"
0:02:50 > 0:02:55And with all those shoppers and traders flooding in, it's car wars.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Parking is at a real premium.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Kam has spotted a car squeezed into a loading bay.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08The question is - will this be a fine?
0:03:10 > 0:03:12This car has taken the loading space,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15which has forced the van to go further into the footway.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19So, what's the story?
0:03:19 > 0:03:22That space is supposed to be off-limits to cars.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26It's only good for larger vehicles who are loading.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Round the rear, Kam spots the car's owner - a builder.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Got ten minutes on that. No.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35Sorry.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Why?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Because you're not a van, boss.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Only vans and HGVs are allowed to load and upload in the loading bays.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Is it? And obviously, with your vehicle there,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47it's forced that vehicle to come more into the footway.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50There's only the one spot for loading.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55It's clearly an offence, but will it be a fine?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57That's definitely a legit ticket.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Parking on a footway with a car, the builder with the BMW
0:04:02 > 0:04:04gets a penalty of ?130.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Unloading my tools, changing the awning.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Got a ticket. Now and again, they get us,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11now and again, they don't.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13You can't argue with them. It's not worth arguing.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Just pay it.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18The reality is that, in this part of Havering,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21wardens must always give an offending car ten minutes' grace.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Regardless of whether they're two, three or four hours overdue,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27as long as they've bought a ticket.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31And it's not long before Kam spots another potential offender.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35My friend here has bought a ticket until 10.30.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37It is now 11.30.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39So it's already had an hour's grace.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43But I'm still going to stand here, like the saddo that I am,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46and I'm going to give him another ten minutes.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50I should be able to issue this instantly, because he's had an hour.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52But he's going to get another ten minutes.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Because that's the rules.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Kam waits, the clock is ticking.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07The driver returns, but will he find a fine waiting for him?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09I'm not getting a ticket, am I?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Well, yeah. You're an hour expired, boss.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Why's that? Look at the time.
0:05:14 > 0:05:1610.28, and now it's 11.41.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I got two hours. I put a pound in.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23No, you've got a free ticket.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27My ticket's here. I put a pound in...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31..and I got two pieces of a ticket.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I thought that was the part that I have to show, because it's got my
0:05:34 > 0:05:37registration on. The other part is just the receipt, wasn't it?
0:05:37 > 0:05:39No, that is a full ticket.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41That is what would come out of the machine, sir.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I put a pound in, I swear to God, darling.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46You can ask the lads in there.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Honestly.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53So, is this driver an hour over the limit after getting a free ticket,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56or an honest purchase gone wrong?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59He could be facing an on-the-spot fine.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02So you're giving me a ticket? No, if you move now...
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Yeah, I will move it now. That's fine.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Kam's given him the benefit of the doubt.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Maybe it's because of those muscles.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15That driver obviously claims to have put a pound in,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18he's claiming that the machine's just taken his money and only
0:06:18 > 0:06:20given him the half-hour free ticket.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I'm not totally convinced,
0:06:22 > 0:06:27but he did come back within two minutes of my observation finishing.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28A lucky one there. Lucky escape.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34The market is doing a roaring trade on the site of the town's car park,
0:06:34 > 0:06:40so, with 160 less parking spaces today, the locals look elsewhere.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42But here, it's permit holders only.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47The person can't get confused.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49So, if you don't have a permit,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51your car is not meant to be here.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54And Kam's found an old friend.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57This vehicle has a habit of not buying a ticket.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00I can assure you, I have probably issued this car about
0:07:00 > 0:07:02five times in the last two months.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07Wow! This driver could have amassed over ?600 in fines.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09That's ridiculous.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11But what about this new offence?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14They parked in a permit holders only car park.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23This repeat offender will have to cough up another ?130.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Even Kam is amazed by the cheek of this driver.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29I think it was yesterday.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The driver was actually in the vehicle and I gave him the option
0:07:32 > 0:07:34to move on and he said, "I'm not going to move,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36"you might as well just give me a ticket."
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Hold your horses.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39What's this?
0:07:40 > 0:07:45This is yesterday's ticket to this vehicle that I issued,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48it's got my badge number, it's got the date and then, at some point,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51it's left his windscreen and ended up on the floor.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55The question is, whether the wind took it,
0:07:55 > 0:07:56or was it discarded in disgust?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01And this is another ticket from the same day to the same car...
0:08:02 > 0:08:05..so the driver's actually had two tickets from yesterday.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08For him to have had two tickets,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12he must have been removing them from his windscreen.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16The person would not get a second ticket in the same location.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22In two days, he's managed to get three fines,
0:08:22 > 0:08:27which normally wouldn't be possible, unless you had it over three days.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29So he's basically got three days' tickets in two days.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32So he is on a record-breaking spree here.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Three ?130 fines?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39At that price, the driver must have pretty deep pockets.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42And, closer to town, the parking issues keep on coming
0:08:42 > 0:08:44for eagle-eyed Kam.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48We're watching you from over there. The vehicle has been here a while.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51So let's take a look at this piece of car crime.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Parked right bang in the middle of a loading bay.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Could this mean an instant ?130 fine?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01See, this is absolute appalling parking,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06cos, not only has the driver gone right in between the loading bay,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09he's forced the van behind to not park legally
0:09:09 > 0:09:14and not left enough space in front for anyone to park legally.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16So he has taken the entire bay.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18And the driver's nowhere to be seen.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Will the owner return to find a fine waiting?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24I should give it a ticket, but because the lady is calling
0:09:24 > 0:09:27the driver, I'm going to give it a couple of minutes.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Time's ticking. In fact, time's running out for this car.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33The owner miraculously appears.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Is this you, boss?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38You're in a loading bay. It's for vans and HGVs only.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Kam's being incredibly lenient this time.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42No fine.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47HORN BEEPS
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Almost caused an accident on his way out.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59No-one likes getting a parking ticket,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03but if you're hit with a pesky parking penalty, you can appeal,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07either to the local council or to an independent adjudicator.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09This is London's Chancery Exchange,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13where the capital's environment and traffic adjudications are heard.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Kalil has come here in the hope that
0:10:15 > 0:10:18he can be one of the 50,000 motorists a year
0:10:18 > 0:10:20whose fines are overturned.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23But that's up to adjudicator Belinda Pearce.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33In this instance, the authority, which is Kensington and Chelsea,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36are alleging that you overstayed, so to speak,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38that you paid to park,
0:10:38 > 0:10:43and then the vehicle was seen in the same spot,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45but after the expiry of the paid for time.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50But I understand you are contesting that, aren't you? Of course, yes.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Kalil has been hit with an ?80 penalty because his car was parked
0:10:54 > 0:10:58longer than his ticket allowed, but only by a few minutes.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02He claims the enforcement officer apologised for issuing the ticket,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05but said his only option would be to appeal.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08And in what way contesting?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11So, basically, I was attending an interview on the day,
0:11:11 > 0:11:18and, um, I had come out to meet the parking official beside my car,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22who had already issued a ticket as displayed on my vehicle.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28So I challenged him there and then and he was apologetic and said that,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31"I'm sorry, I've already issued the ticket,
0:11:31 > 0:11:32"there's nothing that can be done now,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35"so you would have to challenge it."
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Kalil's evidence includes a picture of himself
0:11:38 > 0:11:40by the car as the ticket was issued,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42but will that be enough to convince Belinda that
0:11:42 > 0:11:45he was negotiating with the officer
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and persuade her to overturn his on-the-spot fine?
0:11:48 > 0:11:54I see that the officer has recorded in these notes that the
0:11:54 > 0:11:59paid for time had expired at 2.46.
0:11:59 > 0:12:06The penalty charge notice I'm looking at now was issued at 2.53.
0:12:06 > 0:12:13And I understand the photographs were taken at, variously, 2.54,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18and, in fact, the one in which you are visible is at 2.58,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22after the issue of the penalty charge notice.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25It's not looking good, I'm afraid, Kalil.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28In this instance, whereas the photographs show
0:12:28 > 0:12:31it's quite clear that you're present,
0:12:31 > 0:12:35but you're present AFTER the time had expired.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41Um, the piece of evidence, which is the voucher with the expiry time on,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43we can't see.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48You, I believe, haven't retained it, or you did, but you've misplaced it.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52So we're reliant upon what the civil enforcement officer recorded,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56and he recorded that it expired at 2.46.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Now, I have to apply the law, so, on the facts,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05the vehicle was parked after the expiry of time.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Let's take a look at the facts.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11The ticket expired at 2.46.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14The fine was issued at 2.53.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18And Kalil was photographed at his car at 2.58.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'm not sure that's strong enough
0:13:20 > 0:13:23for Kalil to get his fine kicked out.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25But Belinda's got a surprise for him.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29But some law was instituted last year,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32which came into effect in April of 2015.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38It's regulations made under the Traffic Management Act of 2004,
0:13:38 > 0:13:44which say that there must be at least ten minutes left
0:13:44 > 0:13:47after a vehicle is parked and properly parked
0:13:47 > 0:13:50in as much as paid for parking time.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54And so I can apply the law in this case and I can say that the
0:13:54 > 0:13:58civil enforcement officer had pre-empted the situation and had
0:13:58 > 0:14:03issued the penalty charge notice within that ten-minute period.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06And therefore, applying the law to the facts,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08I can allow your appeal today.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Thank you very much. Thank you. That's all for today.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13There you have it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15The ticket was issued inside the grace period.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Appeal upheld.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Worth coming in in the end, wasn't it, Kalil?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22You're obviously a very happy man right now, aren't you? Yeah.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24This is your first time. You've been successful.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27So tell me, what do you think of the fact that there is this service here
0:14:27 > 0:14:29at your disposal?
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Well, I think obviously it's very, very important that, you know,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35there is an independence there.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37If you do take it and you believe you are in the right...
0:14:37 > 0:14:39It's worth fighting. ..you have to fight it.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43OK. I'll give you a chance now to send a message out to anybody else
0:14:43 > 0:14:45who might feel they have got a ticket and it's been unfair.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47What would you say to them? I would say definitely challenge it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50How much have you saved today? It would have been ?80.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Right, what are you going to do with the money?
0:14:52 > 0:14:53Are you going to celebrate? Absolutely.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Get onto the phone now and make some plans with the missus.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Hey, Lucky Missus. Thank you for your time.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Thank you so much. OK. Thank you. Thank you.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Do you remember that phrase Keep Britain Tidy?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It was a message that did get through to a lot of people,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12but unfortunately, there are some out there
0:15:12 > 0:15:16who think it's fine to dump your rubbish anywhere that suits you
0:15:16 > 0:15:17and let someone else clear it up.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20You know? Perhaps an on-the-spot fine might make them
0:15:20 > 0:15:22think twice about it next time.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I feel irritated when I see litter.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28I feel very annoyed.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31It's not a nice thing to do, it's a bad habit.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I don't understand why people do it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35It can upset me.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42But what type of littering annoys us the most?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Plastic bags. Empty plastic bottles.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Part-used food.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Banana skins. Food packaging.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Crisp packets. Smashed glasses on the floor.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56You don't necessarily want to see that on your doorstep.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00So what's the impact on our environment?
0:16:00 > 0:16:04We've got a beautiful city here, and they can spoil it.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08I think it definitely ruins the community, the way that it looks.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11You're going to get rats and mice and everything.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12And who are the culprits?
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I've seen my mates do it and it's like, you idiots.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I have dropped litter, yes.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Sometimes, I'll go back and pick it up,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27but sometimes, I'll think I'll just leave it.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Hang on, just a minute ago, you said it upset you.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Oh, never mind.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I know people who do it and it's just, it's like,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37dude, can you not just wait? You've got pockets.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41It's children dropping litter and parents perhaps don't see it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45To be honest, it's generally high school children, or young adults.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Have you ever dropped litter yourself?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Yeah. I don't understand the question.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Well, you might understand this.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54To fine or not to fine.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56That is the question.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I think you've got to come down hard on it.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03You should fine them, yeah. Definitely.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Well, they should be fined and all. Very heavy.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Um, it depends really on, like, how substantial the fine is.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Like, if it's ?80 for dropping a piece of litter,
0:17:16 > 0:17:17that's completely unacceptable.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19That's just robbery, isn't it?
0:17:19 > 0:17:23Whereas, I think, what? ?5, ?10, yeah, fair enough.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29In Cardiff, waste enforcement officer Steph is on the prowl,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32looking for residents who can't be bothered to
0:17:32 > 0:17:34dump their rubbish responsibly.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Steph has the power to issue an ?80 on-the-spot fine,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44but it seems that some are still willing to take that risk.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Earlier, Steph spotted a pile of rubbish
0:17:47 > 0:17:49dumped where it shouldn't be.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51So that could lead to a fine.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56On the way over to here now, we saw some dumped waste in black bags.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00It looks a bit of a mess, actually, so, um...
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I'm going to search the bags.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05As if trying to match rubbish with its owner
0:18:05 > 0:18:08wasn't enough of a headache to deal with,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Steph's contending with another apparently common problem.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15We also get a problem with bag slashers at this time of the year.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Bag slashers, you say?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20So where people come round and they'll see a lot of bags,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23they'll just slash through them to see what they can find.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27So those are OK there, but then, you've got this mess here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Which is completely...
0:18:29 > 0:18:30..gross.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Looks like a ransacked jumble sale.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Good luck with that, Steph.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40If Steph can find evidence in the pile
0:18:40 > 0:18:42linking the junk to a property,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46then she could be able to issue the occupants with an on-the-spot fine.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Just clothes, no evidence, so they're clothes from a family.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53They could have taken it to a clothes bank
0:18:53 > 0:18:55or weighed them in and got money for it.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00There's a bag here, there may be something in here.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01Oh!
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Despite the mess,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Steph's search for evidence towards a fine must continue.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Fly tipping isn't just like tonnes of waste
0:19:15 > 0:19:17in a lane, builder's waste.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19I'd class this as fly tipping as well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25No, it's just all children's clothes and shoes and...
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Eugh! It stinks.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35If you could have one wish right now, Steph, what would it be?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I'd love to find some evidence now.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I'm just going to knock their door and issue them...
0:19:40 > 0:19:42It's disgusting.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43I've got a feeling you're in luck.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50With evidence linking the mess to an address...
0:19:50 > 0:19:53What number are we on here? ..a fine is looking more likely.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57And I know why they've done it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And Steph thinks she knows the motive.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04And they've done it, because I sent them a letter to clear the frontage,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06because their front garden was just full of waste,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09so they've picked it up and they've dumped it around the corner there.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I'm going to knock the door... and take a pen.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15So Steph thinks the owner of the rubbish has just moved the problem
0:20:15 > 0:20:20elsewhere and that's still a fine, but will the resident own up?
0:20:29 > 0:20:30Are they even in?
0:20:41 > 0:20:42DOOR OPENS
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Hiya, Cardiff Council Waste Enforcement.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46DOOR SLAMS Charming(!)
0:20:46 > 0:20:48But Steph isn't put off that easily.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Hiya. Cardiff Council Waste Enforcement.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Just about the dumped waste around the corner there.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Yeah, I found evidence to your property.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Do you want to come and have a look?
0:21:00 > 0:21:04This camera-shy fellow isn't taking Steph's word for it.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Do you want to get a brown envelope off the back?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09You'll receive a fixed penalty for that, all right,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11for dumping the waste. Where is it?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14It's in the back of the van in a brown envelope.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Yeah, you have. I've also got...
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Well, come on, then.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Yeah, he's gone to get it.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26All right, I'll show you the photographs and then I've got the...
0:21:26 > 0:21:28All right?
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Steph is primed to issue a fine, but it's proving easier said than done.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37All right? So all that there, OK.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39It's from this property here.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Yeah, it is, yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Because I sent you a letter to clear the front garden and now you've
0:21:43 > 0:21:44dumped it all around there.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46I've got a photo of all the evidence.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I can either give you a fixed penalty now or it will go to court.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56So, let's remind ourselves of what that evidence is.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Black bags dumped around the corner,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01a letter found amongst it, pointing to a house
0:22:01 > 0:22:04that Steph previously wrote to,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07asking the owners to clear out their front garden.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10He's saying it's not his waste.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12It obviously is. I'm going to have a search through the rest of it
0:22:12 > 0:22:14cos there's still some left to search.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17But he will get a fixed penalty for it.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21So, he's not admitting to dumping his rubbish.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25But if the court disagrees, he could be looking at a much bigger fine.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Do you know what would be great? If I have a look at the photos -
0:22:29 > 0:22:33the one I took of his front garden - and, if that's in there,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I've got him bang to rights, really, haven't I?
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Pull that down a bit. I asked him why it was there,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42he said he didn't do it.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Well, who else would have taken his waste, though, you know?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47But he won't pay the fixed penalty, and it'll go to court.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So I'll just... I'll just show the judge what I found,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and then it's up to him, then.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54So it'll probably end up in court, this one.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56But it will be a fixed penalty issued.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07In Gloucestershire, I'm on patrol
0:23:07 > 0:23:10with traffic cops PC Shelley Holloway
0:23:10 > 0:23:11and PC Olly Buxton.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16'We're heading to a regular haunt for the local speed demons,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18'right in the heart of this rural idyll.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22'And it might surprise you to find out it's very near a school.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Presumably, this is somewhere where it's a bit of a hotspot for people
0:23:26 > 0:23:31offending, is it? Yes, so quiet village location, a 30mph zone,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35as there's a local school nearby, and people don't pay any attention
0:23:35 > 0:23:36to the 30mph limits.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39That's a particularly bad area for people to be speeding.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Obviously, there's a school by there.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Yeah, we've had complaints from local residents.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47They can't get on and off their driveways safely
0:23:47 > 0:23:50without fear of being run down by a speeding car.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55'Anybody caught speeding today could be looking at an on-the-spot fine of
0:23:55 > 0:23:59'?100 and three penalty points on their licence.'
0:23:59 > 0:24:01OK, so this is the road that we'll be doing the speed check on.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04We've just passed the village primary school back there,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06and it's a 40mph zone.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's changing to 30 now as we enter the built-up area.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'Outside a school? Well, it doesn't bear thinking about.'
0:24:14 > 0:24:16I'm assuming you've been to some horrific scenes
0:24:16 > 0:24:18that have been caused by
0:24:18 > 0:24:21people either being on the phone or speeding or texting or whatever,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23have you? Yeah, most definitely.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25How do you feel about that? How does it affect you?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29I've got images in my head that will
0:24:29 > 0:24:31stay with me for the rest of my life.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Yeah. Um, from scenes of fatal road traffic collisions,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37where distraction or speed
0:24:37 > 0:24:40or something like that has been involved,
0:24:40 > 0:24:44and I worry for my children growing up. It's quite upsetting. Yeah.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Because, underneath the uniform,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48every police officer in the country has got a soft side.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51You're only human, aren't you? Yeah, we're not robots.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57'Time to get to work. Shelley's speed gun uses a narrow beam,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00'which bounces off the approaching vehicle and can give
0:25:00 > 0:25:03'an accurate speed reading from up to a mile away.'
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Now, if you do see somebody approaching from either direction
0:25:06 > 0:25:08and they are speeding, what will you do?
0:25:08 > 0:25:11So, if they're doing in excess of 33, we'll pull them in.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Anything over 40, then we'd be looking at prosecuting them.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15Fair enough.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19'It's only a matter of minutes
0:25:19 > 0:25:21'before Shelley spots her first offender.'
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Hello. Hello. Thank you for stopping.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28'Could this be her first fine of the shift?'
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Do you know why I've stopped you today?
0:25:30 > 0:25:33No. Do you know what the speed limit is on the road?
0:25:33 > 0:25:3530. I thought I was doing about 30.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37You were doing 39, actually. Was I?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40The speed limit starts way further back.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43It's painted on the road in red as well.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46As you came over the brow of the hill, approaching the cyclist...
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Yeah. ..you were doing 39mph.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53OK, so let's have a look at the facts of this one.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56This guy was doing 39 in a 30 zone.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Bearing in mind there's a school just a bit further along this road,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04is it to be a summons, a fine or just a stiff warning?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06So that's why I've stopped you.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08All right? Now, at that speed,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11it's below the threshold for me to give you a ticket,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13but it is a 30mph limit.
0:26:13 > 0:26:169mph over is not acceptable really.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17OK. OK.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22'This chap's escaped a ?100 fine. It must be his lucky day.'
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Can I ask you an honest opinion now?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29How do you feel about speeding fines?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32I think you have to have them.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34You know, I mean, none of us like them.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36None of us like to get caught,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39particularly if we're only doing a few miles over,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42but if we didn't have them, it would be chaos.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43You said you were 78.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Yeah. Why is it that the older generation are the ones who
0:26:46 > 0:26:48are not doing the job properly?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Probably because it's so long since we were at driving school. OK.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54You've fallen into bad habits. Yes. OK.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56All right, you've learnt your lesson, haven't you? Thanks, Brian.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01'But I'm not sure the next driver
0:27:01 > 0:27:06'Shelley's clocked, doing 37 in a 30 zone, can use the same excuse.'
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Obviously, you got pulled over there. Yeah. Tell me the reason why?
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I was going just above the speed limit in a housed area.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14OK, a residential area.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17When you say just above the speed limit, what were you doing? 37.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18In a... Yes, exactly, so it
0:27:18 > 0:27:23was a little bit more than just above, wasn't it? Yeah, no, yeah.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25How do you feel about the officers
0:27:25 > 0:27:27who just pulled you over for doing that speed limit?
0:27:27 > 0:27:30I think, I don't know, like, if your parents tell you,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34you listen, but if someone else tells you, it kind of like...
0:27:34 > 0:27:38it hits home more. Yeah. So, yeah, no. I understand.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Were you aware you were doing 37? I didn't realise I was that over.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I knew I was a little bit. You knew you were speeding.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I didn't realise that much.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48It's easy to do.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Had they been a little bit harder with you and they could have been...
0:27:51 > 0:27:53I know they obviously could have been.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55If you'd got points and a fine, how would you feel?
0:27:55 > 0:27:58A bit gutted. I don't think my mum would have been too happy.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Will it change the way you're going to drive, not just today,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03but for the considerable future?
0:28:03 > 0:28:07It has made me think a bit more, I feel.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09So, yeah, definitely.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11She was obviously the youngest driver you pulled over today,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14only 18 years old. Because she's such a new driver,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16she's only had her licence less than a year now,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19the penalties could be a lot more severe, couldn't they?
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Yes, so, as a new driver, if you accumulate six points within
0:28:22 > 0:28:24the first two years of driving, your licence gets revoked
0:28:24 > 0:28:26and you have to take your test again.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29And you hear it's very hard to get booked in for a test,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32finding a space these days, let alone pass it first time.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34So it could cost them a lot of money.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38If they then rely on their licence for work, they could lose their job.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40From her point of view, I don't think
0:28:40 > 0:28:42she realises just how lucky she was, does she?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44No, and you often find these young drivers,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46they get into the car,
0:28:46 > 0:28:50they've got this new-found freedom, and they just take for granted
0:28:50 > 0:28:53modern technology... Yeah. ..the condition of the vehicle,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56but they are the most impressionable people that we meet.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00And I think she will learn something from this experience today.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03'Let's hope so. But when it comes to speeding,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06'there doesn't appear to be an age limit.'
0:29:06 > 0:29:08There seems to be an awful lot of people today
0:29:08 > 0:29:13who are doing in the high 30s, between 30-39,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I'd say it's probably about one in every ten cars.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18It's quite shocking, really.
0:29:20 > 0:29:2143.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25PC Buxton has caught another speeder.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Let's look at the facts of this one.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33This driver has gone way over the threshold, doing 43 in a 30 zone.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Could this mean an on-the-spot fine, or worse?
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I'm reporting you for consideration of the question of
0:29:39 > 0:29:42prosecuting you for speeding... Right.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44..for speeding at 30 with manned equipment.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you
0:29:46 > 0:29:49do not mention now something which you later rely on in court,
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53'He's been done.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56'It could be a court summons and a possible driving ban.'
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Is there anything you want me to report as your reply
0:29:58 > 0:30:01as being reported for speeding? No, nothing at all. Bang to rights.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Simple as. Will what's happened today
0:30:03 > 0:30:07affect the way you drive from here on? Probably not.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10So you'll continue to push your luck whenever you can?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12It's not a case of pushing my luck.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Like I've said, I've just come out of the dentist
0:30:14 > 0:30:17and not feeling too brilliant and all the rest of it
0:30:17 > 0:30:19after my treatment. I just couldn't wait to get home.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Just distracted. So I don't think I'm a bad driver in general,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24just the situation of today.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25And that was that.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Should you receive a fine now and/or another three points,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31how would you feel about that? Pay it and that's it.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35'He might think differently if he knew that a young person is
0:30:35 > 0:30:39'seriously injured on the UK's roads every ten minutes.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Cheerio. Bye-bye. Now, there is someone who has just received
0:30:42 > 0:30:45what's called a NIT, which is a Notice of Intended Prosecution.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49He is almost certainly going to end up with a fine and points.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51I can't predict that 100%, of course.
0:30:51 > 0:30:5443 in a 30, with a school coming up.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58It was a bit naughty. Didn't seem that bothered at all.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Horses for courses, I suppose, as they say.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07In Crawley, West Sussex,
0:31:07 > 0:31:12the council are determined to combat antisocial behaviour in the town.
0:31:13 > 0:31:19We just had a call from the police that there's an abandoned caravan,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21I believe. Someone's using it to use needles,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and they leave quite a lot in there.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28It's on private land, so it's quite hard to get rid of this caravan.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30But someone is using it.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35Sam Lucas and Naveed Ur-Rehman are council community wardens.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38They've been called to a report of an abandoned vehicle
0:31:38 > 0:31:40being used as a drug den.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43We get the reports from the people living around there
0:31:43 > 0:31:45that there's needles in there again. So..
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Sam and Naveed's priority is to reduce antisocial behaviour,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55including anything that might pose a risk to the public.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59Needles are obviously hazardous waste.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02And they can carry lots of diseases, so, we try to...
0:32:04 > 0:32:05..respond within half an hour, really,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08when we get a needles call to pick them up as soon as possible,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10because we don't want anyone touching them.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16But it's not the vehicle they were expecting.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Guessing it's this one.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Yes, it's this. It's not a caravan.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24It's got needles underneath,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27so I need to go and get our equipment
0:32:27 > 0:32:30to get them removed, basically.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33It's not a caravan. I swear it was a caravan. An abandoned car, or...
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Do you want to do it? Yeah.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40If Sam and Naveed can find the owner of this car,
0:32:40 > 0:32:45then a hefty fine for abandoning it could be on its way.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Do you live here, sir? Yeah.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51Right, we just had a call regarding there's used needles in the area.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Yeah. Have you seen people coming here taking drugs
0:32:54 > 0:32:56or, like, drinking, other stuff?
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Most of the people are drinking when I see them.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03OK, yeah. Where do they drink? Right over here? Over there.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It's not nice, because I can see you've got a child there.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09If like there's needles over here, so that's really dangerous.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11What I can do is, I'll give you a warden's card...
0:33:11 > 0:33:13May as well, because if you want to speak to me.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17If you see them taking drugs or smoking drugs, just ring 999.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20OK. OK? Thank you, sir. Thank you. Have a good day. Cheers.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23This abandoned car is being used as a drugs den right underneath
0:33:23 > 0:33:27a block of residential flats, but with kids around,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30it's urgent that Naveed and Sam make the area safe.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35When we arrived, there was a parent with his child walking along.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37And,at even a few feet away,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39there were three needles that were exposed,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41so that kid could have easily
0:33:41 > 0:33:45picked it up and stabbed himself without his dad looking.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48So it is a safety risk to the residents.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55And the state inside the car is not very nice either.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57There's condoms.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59There's loads of packets of syringes.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04But there's none actually in there, I don't think. Empty. Yeah.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07It gets worse. The car is unlocked,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11so the drug paraphernalia could easily end up in the wrong hands.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Right, done. The fact is, abandoning a vehicle is an offence,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24but was the car ditched or stolen and dumped?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29They've noted the registration.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31If the car's been dumped and not stolen,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34they can track the owner through the DVLA,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37and a ?200 fine could be on its way.
0:34:37 > 0:34:43I will make a note and just pass it over to the abandoned vehicles.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45It's on private land, though. Yeah.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48They've got the power to remove the vehicle from private land.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Now that Naveed and Sam have made the vehicle safe,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53the council clean-up team can get to work,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55which is good news for the residents.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Today, I'm in Eastbourne in East Sussex.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Parking, what a complete and utter headache it is.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Especially when you're in a hurry,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and we all know how easy it is to dive
0:35:14 > 0:35:16into a spot that we know we shouldn't be parked in,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19because we'll only be five minutes in the shop.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21But there are some people who aren't that fortunate,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and, of course, I'm talking about the registered disabled.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29There are people out there whose job it is to make sure those bays go to
0:35:29 > 0:35:30the people who need them.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37You might not believe it, but blue-badge fraud is rife.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40And a shocking one in five of these vital lifelines is abused.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Can I just have a look at your badge you've got displayed there? Lovely.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47I'm joining council investigating officer Mark Jobling.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Who does the badge belong to? Is it your badge?
0:35:50 > 0:35:52It's your badge, OK.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55'He's scouring the high street trying to stamp out
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'the fraudulent use of blue badges.' Thank you very much.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Thank you. Have a good day.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03'And it's a serious business as drivers
0:36:03 > 0:36:07'who flout the rules could get up to a ?1,000 fine.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09'Blue badges are such valuable items,
0:36:09 > 0:36:13'some owners don't like to let them out of their sight.' Good morning.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Can I have a look at the blue badge you've got displayed there, please?
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Sorry?
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Can you actually hand it to me? I actually need to inspect the badge.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24'It looks like Mark's got his hands full with this one.'
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Here's my identity.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Can I just explain something to you, OK?
0:36:30 > 0:36:34I'm lawfully allowed to inspect the badge, which I will hand back to you
0:36:34 > 0:36:36after inspecting the badge, OK?
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Now, there's two offences.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40First of all if the badge is being used by somebody that shouldn't,
0:36:40 > 0:36:42and, secondly, it's an offence for you
0:36:42 > 0:36:45not to allow me to inspect the badge also. OK?
0:36:45 > 0:36:46Do you mind if I have a look at it?
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Thank you very much. Does the badge belong to yourself? Yes.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52OK. So there you go.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Thank you very much for your time.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58That's OK. Thank you for your time.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I noticed then, when the enforcement officer came up and asked to see
0:37:01 > 0:37:04your badge, you were reluctant to show it to him. Why was that?
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Well, they tell you be very careful with these things,
0:37:08 > 0:37:12because people do steal them and have stolen them.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17And, um, they then use them for their own convenience. Yes.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Yeah, that's exactly what he's checking out today.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22What do you think of the people that might steal the badges or sell them?
0:37:22 > 0:37:27Well, I do think it's very bad for people who can't walk and who
0:37:27 > 0:37:32desperately need these things or are short of breath, like I get.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37And I do find that very sad that people have to do that
0:37:37 > 0:37:41and deprive real people of the badges. Yeah.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Real disabled people, yes. Yes.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48'But not handing over your badge when asked by an official
0:37:48 > 0:37:50'could leave you in big trouble.'
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I heard you say it's actually an offence for somebody not to show you
0:37:53 > 0:37:55their badge or pass it over to you when you request it, yeah?
0:37:55 > 0:37:57It absolutely is. So if she'd said,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59"On your bike," what could have happened?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Well, what can happen, we can then look into prosecuting somebody for
0:38:02 > 0:38:05failure to allow the badge to be inspected and also
0:38:05 > 0:38:09make enquiries in relation to who the badge actually belonged to.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11But obviously you don't want to do that. She was just a nice lady being
0:38:11 > 0:38:14overcautious, wasn't she? So it all worked out OK in the end.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16It worked out fine. I think she was reluctant, understandably, to hand
0:38:16 > 0:38:19her badge over, to think thatsomebody might snatch it and
0:38:19 > 0:38:22run away with it. It's probably cos you had this ugly moosh behind you,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24that's what it was. Well, it's not great, is it?
0:38:24 > 0:38:26Well, you said it. I agree with it.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29'But the problem is more than just stolen badges.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33'It's also about improper use by the rightful owner.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36'And the rules are stricter than you might think.'
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Can you tell me who the badge belongs to? Me. OK.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Is that your good lady that's just gone off? Yes. OK.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Are you aware that, when you're using the badge,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46that you should, as the disabled person, the badge holder,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49you should be the one who is actually getting out of the car and
0:38:49 > 0:38:51not sitting in the car while your passenger
0:38:51 > 0:38:53or anybody does something else? No, I didn't know that.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58This chap has a valid blue badge displayed,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00but as he's still in the car,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02he's not using it properly.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04So how to deal with the offence?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Mark is within his rights to confiscate his badge
0:39:07 > 0:39:09or issue him with a court summons,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13where he could be hit with a fine of up to ?1,000.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16So what's the procedure, then? No, you're good.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18'This time, it's just a friendly warning.'
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Thank you very much for your time. Cheers. Have a good day.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22That's a bit of the rules
0:39:22 > 0:39:25which that guy, a genuine blue-badge holder, didn't know,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27I didn't know, you obviously do, it's your job.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Explain to me what was going on there and what was wrong?
0:39:29 > 0:39:31The correct use of the badge is for the disabled person.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Which makes sense. For that disabled person to be able to get out
0:39:35 > 0:39:37of the vehicle and be able to access where they need to be.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41In this case, technically, the passenger is using the badge,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45because she's actually gone off to get camomile lotion for herself,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47so the badge is being used by her.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49What seems quite odd about that,
0:39:49 > 0:39:52he's a guy with a disability, he's parked up, quite legitimately,
0:39:52 > 0:39:57he's put his badge up, but the fact that he's got his supposedly healthy
0:39:57 > 0:40:00partner or wife to go and get the shopping,
0:40:00 > 0:40:02that is actually an offence, isn't it?
0:40:02 > 0:40:04If he went off and she was sitting in the vehicle,
0:40:04 > 0:40:06there would be absolutely no problem.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08He's accessing the facilities, he's using the badge.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11But you'd have to be a pretty cold-hearted person to give them any
0:40:11 > 0:40:13sort of ticket or reprimand on that, wouldn't you?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16I think my biggest concern is that the genuine badge holder is
0:40:16 > 0:40:20actually present. But however, we would advise people, you know,
0:40:20 > 0:40:24in relation to the correct way of using the badge. Yeah.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28'Most blue badges are issued to older people with mobility problems,
0:40:28 > 0:40:33'but many younger people need them too. Like this guy, Mark.'
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Now, I know you said it's OK if I ask you about your disability,
0:40:35 > 0:40:36so what's wrong?
0:40:36 > 0:40:39I've got a prolapsed disc, sciatica down my leg.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Are you in pain quite a lot? Yes, all day, every day at the moment.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44You have a blue badge, cos I saw you putting it on the car.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Have you ever pulled up at a spot and seen people parked in your bays
0:40:47 > 0:40:49that shouldn't be there? Yeah. I've seen them a couple of times
0:40:49 > 0:40:52with people with kids trying to get in their cars and not using the
0:40:52 > 0:40:55bay properly. Have you ever actually challenged somebody about it?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57I have in Tesco's, yeah, in the car park in Tesco.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00A gent was parking there and he was in a van and he said he couldn't
0:41:00 > 0:41:02park anywhere else, cos there was not enough space and I said,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05"Well, that's not the point. It's a disabled bay and I need it,
0:41:05 > 0:41:06"cos it saves me having to walk too far."
0:41:06 > 0:41:09He weren't too keen on helping me out, so I had to end up parking
0:41:09 > 0:41:11in the bay that I couldn't really get out of the door.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14So he didn't even have the decency to move? No, he wouldn't move.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15So I've had a few experiences like that.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Right now, send a message out there to anybody who uses disabled bays
0:41:19 > 0:41:22that isn't entitled to them. Just be more courteous, really.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Think about others, think about what they, you know,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26if someone's got to walk a distance and they can't,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28be a bit more considerate, really, and look at what you're doing.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Think about what you're doing and what other people need from it.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33That's what it's there for.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36The disabled bays, in particular, are there for people that need them.
0:41:36 > 0:41:37So think about what you're doing.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40You heard Mark. Now behave yourself. That's right. Yep.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41'Message received.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45'As there's so much misuse,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49'each badge contains information, like the driver's year of birth,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52'so the council can check they really are who they say they are.'
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Is your instinct telling you anything's wrong here?
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Not particularly. Again, it's a relatively young badge holder,
0:41:57 > 0:41:58so what we'll do is ring through and
0:41:58 > 0:42:01see if we can match a registration in relation to the badge.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Yeah. Born 1924. That's someone who's 92 years old. That age, yeah.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Should they be behind the wheel?
0:42:12 > 0:42:16Is it a good day for you if you don't issue any penalties,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19or is that a bad day? I think, you know...
0:42:19 > 0:42:22The biggest part of this role is taking away the misuse,
0:42:22 > 0:42:26and I view it very much, if we end up not coming across
0:42:26 > 0:42:30any misuse in a day, that can only be seen as a good thing.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33It would only suggest we're doing our jobs correctly
0:42:33 > 0:42:35in trying to eliminate the misuse of the badges.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Yeah, but you sort the problem out, you're out of a job.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I don't think it's going to be eliminated completely,
0:42:40 > 0:42:42to be perfectly honest. OK.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46There's such a vast amount of misuse in relation to badges,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49so I think we'll take some time to completely eliminate it.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52You think you're safe for a while? I think I'm safe for a while yet. OK.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55'But with blue-badge fraud prosecutions in England
0:42:55 > 0:42:59'doubling in three years, I don't think Mark's going anywhere soon.'
0:43:01 > 0:43:03That's all for today. Join me next time,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06when I'll be with the men and the women on the front line of fines
0:43:06 > 0:43:08with more Dom On The Spot.