Prosecutions for misuse of disabled parking badges in England have risen by 84% in a year, according to new figures from the Department for Transport. Councils took legal action against 985 people in 2014-15, up from 535 the previous year, with the vast majority of cases involving unauthorised use of someone else's blue badge.
Thefts of badges also increased, with 2,056 reported cases compared to 1,756 the year before. Islington saw the highest number of stolen badges (122), while Hammersmith and Fulham Council prosecuted the most people (190), targeting fraudsters parking near shopping centres like Westfield in west London.
Blue badge misuse carries a fine of up to £1,000 plus additional penalties for related parking offences. Councillor Wesley Harcourt of Hammersmith and Fulham said the abuse is 'unfair on genuine badge holders', while a council spokesman noted that original holders are typically unaware of fraudulent use and repeat incidents with the same badge are rare.
Disability groups welcomed the crackdown but urged fairness. Elliot Dunster of Scope said the rise in prosecutions may reflect better enforcement, while Philip Connolly of Disability Rights UK cautioned against assumptions about drivers who appear mobile, stressing that disability is not always visible.
More than two million disabled people hold blue badges, which allow parking on double yellow lines for up to three hours. The scheme is intended to help holders live independently and participate in their communities.
