Almost 150 vehicles displaying Blue Badges in two North Yorkshire towns were checked as part of a day of action to protect badge holders’ rights and ensure disabled parking spaces remain available for those who need them most.
For the first time, we took part in National Blue Badge Awareness Week, a coordinated effort to ensure spaces remain available for those who need them most.
On Friday (15 May), officers worked alongside Veritau, the organisation responsible for investigating fraud on behalf of the authority, to carry out spot checks in Harrogate and Scarborough.
Across the day, a total of 141 badges were inspected, with no instances of misuse identified.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “This day of action is important in making sure the Blue Badge scheme is respected and protected.
“These badges provide essential support for people with mobility challenges, and it is vital they are used properly so those who need them most can access parking.
“While it’s reassuring no misuse was identified during these checks, we will continue to monitor the scheme and take action where needed. We want to be clear that misuse will not be tolerated.”
The Blue Badge scheme provides vital support to residents with mobility issues, allowing them to park closer to their destinations.
However, misuse can limit access for those who rely on the scheme. This includes using someone else’s badge when the holder is not present, using a badge after the holder has passed away, or displaying one that is expired, lost or stolen.
Offenders may face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000.
More than 140 councils took part in similar enforcement activity last year, resulting in more than 10,000 badges being inspected nationwide.