Police in Oslo report that the special cards issued to drivers eligible to park in spaces set aside for those with impaired mobility are being stolen and sold for large amounts. There’s also been an increase in forgeries of the cards, known as a handicapkort.
One impaired driver who had his card stolen posed for a photo in newspaper Aftenposten, holding a large block of asphalt that thieves used to smash his car’s window and steal his parking card. “It’s despicable to steal this card from people who need it,” Jørn Ilje told Aftenposten. “It’s like stealing from a blind person.”
Kåre Stølen of the Grønland Police District in Oslo reports an increase in such thefts this year. “We see that the cards are attractive,” he said. They can be used all over Europe and are sold on the black market for the equivalent of several thousand Norwegian kroner.
At least 30 car break-ins with theft of the parking cards have been reported this year, Stølen said.
newsinenglish.no staff
