Blue Badge thefts reach highest level as drivers resort to stealing permits to avoid Congestion Charge

The data, released today, also revealed how the number of people in England with a disabled parking badge has grown by 10.5 per cent to its highest-ever level.

In total, there were 2.84 million valid Blue Badges in England by the end of March 2024, an impressive jump from 2.57 million the year prior.

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The increase in Blue Badges follows a move in 2019 which extended the criteria for obtaining the permit to include people with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson’s, dementia and epilepsy.

This saw thousands of new drivers apply for a Blue Badge, with at least four per cent of permits being kept by people with non-visible disabilities.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "With parking spaces often at a premium in places like retail parks and supermarkets it might be tempting to occupy a disabled bay – maybe just for a few minutes – but we should remind ourselves that one day we could be the ones reliant on the easier access that Blue Badges are there to provide."

Stolen Blue Badges can be used to illegally access free parking across the country, with campaign group Blue Badge Fraud warning as many as one in five badges in urban areas could be fraudulent.

Under UK law, Blue Badges must be renewed every three years and can be used to help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination.

Depending on the location, drivers can park for free in pay and display bays, and for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines. In London, Blue Badge holders are exempt from having to pay the £15 daily Congestion Charge which could save drivers £2,500 per year.

However, thanks to the benefits associated with Blue Badges, many drivers have been found misusing them, which can be punishable with a £1,000 fine.

Unmesh Desai, London Assembly Labour spokesperson for policing and crime, warned that Blue Badge theft is "not a victimless crime".

He said: "Behind each of these numbers is Londoners robbed of their ability to live and travel independently – and a criminal using their badge to avoid parking fines and effectively defraud taxpayers.

"With the right funding, training and data sharing to help protect disabled drivers from being targeted by criminals, we can tackle this problem. I also encourage Blue Badge holders to hide their badges overnight or purchase a Blue Badge Protector."

Blue Badge holders also avoid having to pay for a resident's parking permit which costs between £50 and £250 a year. According to the London Councils, fraudulent misuse of the badges could cost the local Government, Transport for London and the boroughs between £5,000 and £10,000 a year per badge.

The association warned: "Fraudulent use of Blue Badges prevents people in genuine need from accessing on-street parking where they need it most.

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"This should be the primary motivation for undertaking any enforcement action against fraudulent motorists. High levels of fraudulent Blue Badge use also cause problems for the scheme as a whole.

"It is not uncommon for badge holders to be accused of fraud where their disability is not sufficiently 'visible' (e.g. if they don’t use a wheelchair) which of course causes them further anguish and brings the scheme into disrepute."

Paul Slowey founder of BBFI told GB News: “ The courts take a very dim view of drivers who use stolen badges. Someone once said 'the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.' These statistics are a sad reflection on London in 2024."