New powers to stop the misuse of blue disabled parking badges in England are to be announced by the government.
A £55m scheme to help stop the misuse of blue disabled parking badges in England has been announced.
One in every 200 badges is stolen, and some London boroughs are dealing with hundreds of cases a year of stolen, forged or borrowed and misused badges.
One in every 200 badges is stolen, and some London boroughs are dealing with hundreds of cases a year of stolen, forged or borrowed and misused badges.
But authorities complain parking attendants cannot demand to see badges or seize illegitimate ones.
The government says it is looking to give councils new powers to confiscate stolen or forged badges.
Badges are now printed with holograms to stop forgery, and checks on users' eligibility are likely in the future.
It is also extending the badge scheme to disabled Armed Forces personnel and those with temporary mobility problems.
Others set to benefit are young children with disabilities and people with severe mental health problems.
A £10m national data-sharing system will be established by councils to make sure stolen or forged badges from outside their areas can be detected.
The Department for Transport is also looking at new ways to make the badges harder to forge, including barcodes that can be read through windscreens.
Problem 'rife'
Problem 'rife'
The badges, introduced 37 years ago, are held by about 2.3 million people across the country and allow almost unhindered parking in Europe.
The badges, introduced 37 years ago, are held by about 2.3 million people in England and allow almost unhindered parking across Europe.
Use of one by an able-bodied person carries a fine of up to £1,000.
Use of one by an able-bodied person carries a fine of up to £1,000.
Despite the deterrent, councils say the problem of stolen and forged passes is now "rife" and they need tougher powers to question drivers and seize illegitimate permits.
Despite the deterrent, councils say the problem of stolen and forged passes is now "rife" and they need tougher powers to question drivers and seize illegitimate permits.
Mary Murphy, from Camden Council in north London, said fraud was a big problem and there were cases where badges had been photocopied or sold.
Mary Murphy, from Camden Council in north London, said fraud was a big problem and there were cases where badges had been photocopied or sold.
My car is an extension of my legs and without being able to park, it's virtually useless Celine Llewellyn Jones
My car is an extension of my legs and without being able to park, it's virtually useless Celine Llewellyn Jones
"People are willing to buy them because obviously there's a saving if you use a blue badge and you don't have to pay for parking," she said.
"People are willing to buy them because obviously there's a saving if you use a blue badge and you don't have to pay for parking," she said.
In September, Birmingham City Council reported that drivers parking illegally in spaces for disabled motorists were costing the city £500,000 in lost parking fees each year.
There have been reports of badges being sold on the black market for up to £1,500.
Transport Minister Paul Clark is expected to announce steps later to tackle abuse within the system in England.
Transport Minister Paul Clark said: "It is time to get tough and stop blue badge abuse and vehicle crime.
He will also outline ways to extend the scheme and make the application process more consistent.
"Alongside this we need to make sure everyone who needs a badge receives one."
GPs currently authorise the issuing of badges but some say they would be happy for that responsibility to be taken out of their hands.
Under the new scheme, the assessment for eligibility for a badge is to be standardised and carried out by dedicated medical assessors.
Until now, GPs have authorised the issuing of badges but some say they would be happy for that responsibility to be taken out of their hands.
Mr Clark told BBC Radio's Five Live it was important to make sure disabled parking spaces were available for people who genuinely needed them.
Mr Clark told BBC Radio's Five Live it was important to make sure disabled parking spaces were available for people who genuinely needed them.
Celine Llewellyn Jones has had her blue badge stolen twice, forcing her to use expensive taxis and rely on others to do her shopping until she received a replacement.
Celine Llewellyn Jones has had her blue badge stolen twice, forcing her to use expensive taxis and rely on others to do her shopping until she received a replacement.
"My car is an extension of my legs and without being able to park, it's virtually useless," she told BBC Radio's Five Live.
"My car is an extension of my legs and without being able to park, it's virtually useless," she told BBC Radio's Five Live.
Are you a blue badge holder? Has yours ever been stolen? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Are you a blue badge holder? Has yours ever been stolen? Send us your experiences using the form below.
