Council cracks down on drivers misusing disabled parking permits

Last month, Buckinghamshire Council’s Counter Fraud team led a Blue Badge operation supported by the Blue Badge team, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

The operation spanned car parks and on street parking bays in South Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe and Aylesbury to target the misuse and abuse of Blue Badges.

This operation was part of a wider tri-county exercise and was coordinated with neighbouring local authorities, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Across the three counties, 34 blue badges were seized; Hertfordshire 20 badges, Oxfordshire three badges and Buckinghamshire 11.

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

“Blue badge parking permits provide a lifeline to individuals with mobility challenges or long-term health issues. Unfortunately, the system is sometimes misused by those who are not entitled to use these permits.

“This latest crackdown on Blue Badge fraud has resulted in 11 Blue Badges being seized. The enforcement operation ran between 11 and 21 June, with officers present from our Counter Fraud team, Blue Badge team, Parking team (Civil Enforcement Officers) and Thames Valley Police.

“The Buckinghamshire operation inspected 364 badges and handed out over 60 leaflets to Blue Badge users offering advice on how to keep their Blue Badges safe. There are now ongoing enquiries following the operation with potential prosecutions pending.

“This enforcement operation sends out a clear message: If you are misusing a Blue Badge, or using a badge which you have no right to do, then we will take action against you.”

If you suspect that someone is misusing a Blue Badge permit, you can report the abuse of a Blue Badge in confidence.