Kingston police are determined to crack down on the widespread misuse of blue badges by able-bodied car drivers in the town centre.

The police will begin a campaign with the Kingston Safer Neighbourhood Team and NCP car parks in April to target those illegally using the blue badges, which allow free parking for disabled people.

Chief Inspector Tim Pointer said: "It's not a case of theft of blue badges, rather people photocopying or using those belonging to their disabled family members so they can park for free in Kingston.

It is definitely more widespread than we first thought and something that needs dealing with."

Anyone found to be using a blue badge that does not belong to them will be issued with an on-the-spot parking fine and may even be arrested and fined. The badge will also be seized by the police.

According to Robert Reilly from Kingston Centre for Independent Living, misuse of blue badges is made easier by the badge's poor layout.

He said: "There are details of the issuing council on one side, which is the side that has to be on display, and on the reverse is the driver's photo.

"Police and traffic wardens can ask the driver to prove he is the person in the photo, but it never happens.

"I have a blue badge and I've never been asked to prove it's mine."