Buckinghamshire Council crackdown on fraudulent blue badges

Last month, the council’s counter fraud team led a Blue Badge initiative supported by the Blue Badge team, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

The campaign spanned car parks and on-street parking bays across the whole of South Buckinghamshire, as well as area in Aylesbury, which is in the centre of the county, to target the misuse and abuse of blue badges.

This sting 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 as 20 were taken in Hertfordshire, three in Oxfordshire, and 11 in Buckinghamshire.

Aylesbury and High Wycombe were mainly targeted (Image: Buckinghamshire Council)

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.

Many blue badges were taken away (Image: Buckinghamshire Council)

“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.”

To report the misuse of a blue badge, go to  Report the abuse of a Blue Badge | Buckinghamshire Council