Blue Badge fraud soars by over 1000% amid misuse and thefts | UK | News | EUROtoday

Fraud and misuse of the UK’s Blue Badge scheme have skyrocketed by greater than 1000% in below a decade, in what’s now being labelled a “serious and growing problem” that threatens the integrity of the system designed to help disabled motorists.

The scheme, which permits individuals with disabilities to park in designated accessible areas and keep away from sure restrictions, is being more and more exploited by unscrupulous drivers. According to newly launched figures, reported situations of Blue Badge misuse rose from the a whole lot in 2016 to over 3,500 circumstances in 2023, a tenfold enhance, MailOnline reported.

Meanwhile, in London alone, the variety of Blue Badge thefts surged by 400% between 2014 and 2023. Victims are sometimes those that depend on these permits to attend medical appointments, store for necessities, or preserve social independence.

The British Parking Association issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that this abuse is “undermining the integrity of the scheme” and straight impacting the each day lives of weak individuals. The affiliation is now calling for more durable enforcement powers, together with the introduction of penalties that replicate the true social affect of Blue Badge misuse.

“The statistics around the level of Blue Badge misuse and fraud are shocking,” mentioned Alison Tooze, coverage officer on the BPA.

“Perpetrators deprive genuine badge holders of their right to freedom while costing taxpayers millions each year. This must stop.”

Investigations performed by National Blue Badge, an enforcement physique working with councils, have uncovered a spread of fraudulent exercise, from intentional theft and forgery of badges bought on-line, to the misuse of permits belonging to deceased people.

The most typical abuse, nevertheless, stays the informal “borrowing” of a relative’s badge, typically seen as innocent, however with severe penalties.

“For every badge being misused, a space is denied to someone who genuinely needs it,” the BPA confused. “This could mean missing a doctor’s appointment, being unable to work, or losing access to vital community services.”

As of March 2023, there have been 2.57 million Blue Badge holders in England, roughly one in twenty individuals. Yet enforcement of misuse has struggled to maintain tempo, with present penalties typically seen as too lenient to function an efficient deterrent.

The BPA is urging the Department for Transport to conduct a proper evaluation into the civil and legal penalties out there and increase the assets councils must crack down on this rising downside.

A spokesperson for the DfT responded to the figures: “Exploitation of the Blue Badge scheme is completely unacceptable – it is a vital resource helping many people travel with confidence. We are working closely with local authorities and police to strengthen enforcement and tackle fraud.”

With the dimensions of the issue now laid naked, campaigners say the time for consciousness is over — and the time for motion and accountability is lengthy overdue.