More than 50 blue badges confiscated from drivers

More than 50 blue badges have been confiscated over three months as a council cracks down on fraud.

Gloucestershire County Council said its anti-fraud officer had removed 54 of the badges, which act as parking permits for people with severe mobility issues, since September.

The council said it had issued 33 warnings and 21 cases will be prosecuted for fraud.

"When blue badges are misused or obtained dishonestly, it undermines the integrity of the scheme designed to support people with genuine mobility challenges," a council officer said in a report presented to the environment scrutiny committee meeting on 14 January.

Blue badges enable holders to park closer to their destination in disabled bays, on some yellow lines, and they can sometimes park for free.

The scheme is designed to help those who can't walk far or are a risk near vehicles, and eligibility is determined by local councils.

The misuse of blue badges appears to be on the rise as 33 cases were identified during the whole of 2024/25, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

That year, 13 warning letters were issued and 12 cases were prosecuted.

"Fraudulent use reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who truly need them, creating barriers to independence and daily activities," the report said.

"It also erodes public trust in the system, leading to stricter controls and inconvenience for legitimate users.

"Financially, councils incur costs in enforcement and investigations, diverting resources from essential services.

"Ultimately, blue badge fraud compromises fairness, accessibility, and the credibility of support programmes for vulnerable residents."

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