Council leaders have launched a national campaign to crackdown on Blue Badge fraudsters, after a survey by the Local Government Association showed widespread abuse of the parking system. Four out of 10 councils rated Blue Badge fraud as a ‘serious' or ‘very serious' concern, and in London, where fraudsters have the most to gain financially from illegal use of Blue Badges, nine out of 10 councils expressed concerns. In some parts of the capital, up to half of the badges for disabled drivers are reported to be illegal, and a lucrative black market has sprung up. Councils are being urged to use new powers giving parking attendants, traffic wardens and the police the power to inspect Blue Badges and fine people who are using them illegally.
