Between January 2021 and December 2025, North Somerset authorities issued 7,198 penalty charge notices for the misuse of blue badges, permits intended to help people with disabilities park closer to their destinations. In addition, 396 badges were confiscated during this period.
Blue badges are designed to support those with disabilities, but some individuals improperly use stolen or counterfeit badges, depriving genuine badge holders of accessible parking spaces. This information was revealed through a Freedom of Information request submitted by Witan Solicitors to North Somerset Council.
Qarrar Somji, solicitor-advocate and director at Witan Solicitors, emphasized the seriousness of blue badge misuse, calling it “criminal fraud” that harms those who genuinely need accessible parking. He explained: “Using a badge without the rightful holder present, employing lost, stolen or expired badges, tampering with badges, or using badges belonging to deceased individuals exploits the system unfairly. Fake and stolen badges are even sold online to ineligible users, which is a criminal offense.”
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Somji clarified that the issue stems from misuse by those who do not qualify for blue badges, not from disabled individuals who genuinely require them. He stressed that obtaining a blue badge is not easy without a substantial disability, especially for those who do not receive higher-rate mobility benefits. “Faking a disability or committing benefit fraud to obtain a blue badge is nearly impossible,” Somji noted. He urged the public to recognize that many disabilities are not visible and encouraged respect for badges properly issued under the correct criteria.
Misusing a blue badge can lead to penalties, including fines of up to £1,000, criminal records, and confiscation of the badge. North Somerset Council was contacted for comment on the matter.