A total of 54 blue badges have been confiscated since September
05:00, 15 Jan 2026
More than 50 blue badges have been confiscated in Gloucestershire over the last three months as the council seeks to prosecute dozens of motorists for fraud.
The blue badge is a parking permit for people with severe mobility issues which allows them to park closer to their destination in disabled bays, on some yellow lines and it often means they can park for free in some areas.
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.
But there have been dozens of cases of people misusing the scheme and Gloucestershire County Council employs an anti-fraud officer to crack down on the misuse of such badges.
The council says it undermines the blue badge scheme’s integrity when blue badges are obtained dishonestly or misused.
Fraudulent use also reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who really need them.
A report presented to councillors today suggested a considerable amount of misuse and fraud has been identified recently and 54 badges have been confiscated since September.
The council has issued 33 warnings and 21 cases will be prosecuted for fraud.
The misuse of blue badges appears to be on the rise as 33 cases were identified during the whole of 2024/25. That year, 13 warning letters issued and 12 cases passed for prosecution
“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 at today's (January 14) environment scrutiny committee.
“Fraudulent use reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who truly need them, creating barriers to independence and daily activities.
“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 programs for vulnerable residents.”