Blue badge misuse at 'ridiculous' levels

Checks were carried out in Middlesbrough to see if people were abusing the system

The misuse of blue badge parking permits in a town is at "ridiculous" levels, a local councillor has said.

Blue badges are a national scheme in the UK that allow people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destination.

A "day of action" clampdown by Middlesbrough Council resulted in two people being handed formal warnings.

However, councillor David Coupe said this was "only scratching the surface" and more checking up was needed.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said an annual counter fraud report delivered to the council's audit committee by the organisation Veritau had described the day of action.

This involved checks on blue badges displayed in Middlesbrough to determine if they were being used properly by legitimate badge holders.

Two members of the public subsequently received formal written warnings about their conduct in relation to the permits.

Mr Coupe, Conservative, told a meeting: "We need to do more checking up on the issuing of these things.

"The misuse of blue badges is in my opinion ridiculous."

Veritau’s assistant director of corporate fraud, Jonathan Dodsworth, agreed in response that more time could be spent on the issue, but said resources limited the work that could take place.