Two cars were towed away and more than twenty people were fined as part of a crackdown in Nottingham on the misuse of Blue Badges.
Nottingham City Council officers took part in the campaign between 11 and 15 May, which aimed to raise public awareness about the effect misuse has on disabled people.
Activity included:
– 132 PCNs issued to vehicles parked in disabled bays without a valid badge
– 23 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for Blue Badge misuse
– 21 enforcement cases opened
– 16 warnings handed out
– 12 Blue Badges seized
– Eight motorists interviewed
– Two vehicles removed
In addition to this, eight cancelled badges were discovered, including four linked to deceased holders; 10 expired badges; one fake badge; 10 misuse cases opened; and two motorists who were unable to produce their badge on request.
As part of the campaign, civil enforcement staff at the council:
– Conducted targeted patrols in known hotspots
– Increased enforcement in off-street car parks
– Carried out joint patrols with NHS partners at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, and the University of Nottingham
– Conducted additional Blue Badge checks during routine patrols
While the council enforces the Blue Badge scheme on a daily basis, national campaign events provide an opportunity to highlight this important work across the city.
They allow officers to underline the authority’s commitment to tackling misuse of badges, as well as working with partner agencies and showing the public the real-world impact on disabled people.
The main aims were:
– Protecting access for those who need it
– Enforcement of misuse
– Public awareness of the consequences
– Collaboration with local and national partners
Across the whole of the 2025/26 financial year, a total of 926 cases of Department for Transport-defined Blue Badge misuse were recorded in Nottingham.
Of these, 95 badges were still being used despite having been cancelled, 419 had expired, and 42 were fake. Additionally, 822 PCNs were issued, 21 vehicles were towed away, and more than 400 motorists were questioned, of whom 48 were prosecuted, 126 received formal warnings, and 109 cautions were issued.
Councillor Patience Ifediora, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “Blue Badge misuse directly affects disabled people – some of our most vulnerable residents – who rely on accessible parking in the city.
“When badges are used fraudulently or by those not entitled to them, it reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who genuinely need them. This can lead to increased stress, reduced independence, and missed appointments or opportunities for disabled people.
“Our enforcement teams operate in a fair and proportionate way, using education and engagement as much as possible, while partnership working also remains vital in tackling this issue.
“Ensuring the integrity of the scheme is therefore not only a matter of enforcement but also of equity, accessibility, and dignity for legitimate badge holders. We make no apology for holding those to account who misuse Blue Badges in our city.”
It is a criminal offence for anyone to use a badge they are not entitled to, and doing so could lead to prosecution and, in some cases, withdrawal of the badge.
