Five people were caught using blue badges illegally as part of an operation by council officers.

Harrow Borough Council staff and police officers carrying out an operation in Northolt Road found the drivers falsely displaying the badges, which are meant for people with disabilities.

One woman was found misusing her son's badge and also suspected of driving on provisional licence, and faces a £1,000 fine.

Cllr Varsha Parmar, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Blue badges are used by some of the most vulnerable people in our community and the majority use them as they are intended - a vital lifeline for ensuring disabled people can access places like shops and doctors surgeries.

“Unfortunately there is a minority of people who try to abuse the system and where this happens we will take action.

“Operations like this, as well as others carried out on the day, are so successful because of the strong partnership we have with the police and other agencies and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle issues like this.”