A HATE crime investigation has been launched over motorists parking in a bay designated to a disabled woman.

Pauline Samuels, 50, of Chestnut Avenue North, Walthamstow, claims she is forced to take a painful walk because she is unable park close to her home after people living nearby found out the bay is a just a ‘courtesy’.

This means motorists cannot be penalised for using it and Mrs Samuels believes she is being persecuted.

Mrs Samuels said: “I have to walk from the top of the road all the way down to where I live, which can take a long time if I’m in pain.

“The council referred me to the anti-social behaviour team but there’s nothing they can do because it’s a courtesy.”

She has also contacted the local government ombudsman in the hope of resolving the situation as she feels she needs a designated bay that is legally enforceable.

“They said it was going to cost too much,” she said.

“Putting a square on the street and saying it’s a courtesy bay doesn’t help me at all.”

Mrs Samuels added that she feels as if she is being discriminated against because of her disability and fears other disabled people in the borough may be suffering from the same problem.

She said: “A lot of disabled people in Waltham Forest have got courtesy bays. If anybody else can park there, where’s the benefit?

“Just because I look well doesn’t mean I haven’t got a disability,” she said.

And the council have now stated they intend to investigate the matter as it is classified as a hate crime.

Cabinet member for health, adults and older people Cllr Liz Phillips said: "It is illegal to discriminate against a person because of their disability and we will be in contact with the lady in question.

"Our parking bays are all complementary and are not enforced because the vast majority of our non-disabled residents do not park in them because they know they are designed to make it easier for people who are less able than themselves get out and about."