West Mercia Police car parked in disabled bay in Sainbury's carpark

Naomi Howell was told to "mind her business" when she asked a police officer why he was parked in a disabled parking spot at Sainsbury's car park in St John's.

Ms Howell said: "I am disabled and I've got a disabled badge.

"There were plenty of places for him to park but he took one of the disabled ones instead."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said enquiries are taking place to find out why the police car was parked in a disabled bay.

"He was having his tea, but when I went up to him and asked him why he'd parked there and he said 'mind your business,'" added Ms Howell. 

"Even if it was an emergency, he could've parked anywhere.

"It is quite frustrating, he took the law into his own hands. 

"If he can do it, then it shows that others can do it too because they've seen a police officer doing it.

West Mercia Police car parked in disabled bay at Sainsbury's in St John's (Image: Reader Submission)

"The disabled parking spaces are taken up so quickly"

Ms Howell has carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis in both of her knees and PTSD and she said it took her five years to get her disabled badge.

"It is not just given out to anybody, you have to provide evidence.

"I applied for PIP [Personal Independence Payment] five years ago and it was rejected."

Blue badges are given to people who cannot walk more than 50 metres.

"And then three years ago, I applied again, I finally got it last year.

"I don't use them all the time, but if I'm in a lot of pain and I'm having a horrific day, I will park there for my benefit."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Further to this being brought to our attention, we are carrying out enquiries to establish why the police vehicle was parked in a disabled bay and if there was a genuine reason to be parked there.

"Unless an emergency, police vehicles are subject to the same restrictions as a member of the public."