The number of disabled parking badge prosecutions have rocketed in a year, new figures have revealed.
Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019, there were 1,432 prosecutions made in England for the misuse of Blue Badges, according to data from the Department for Transport.
That is a 17.9 per cent increase since 2017-18.
Almost every single one of those prosecutions were for non-badge holders using another person's badge.
More than half of local authorities in England possess a policy that enables them to prosecute individuals who misuse the Blue Badge scheme.
In 2018-19 as many as 66 per cent (101 authorities) stated that they have a policy, up from 89 the previous year.
Of the 101 authorities which had a policy for prosecuting, only 61 per cent took legal action in 2018-19.
However, the remaining 39 per cent made no such prosecutions, despite having a policy.
Authorities in London prosecuted the most people over the last year, with a total of 983 cases.
Blue Badges are parking badges, issued by local authorities to disabled individuals with severe mobility conditions.
Badges can also be issued to organisations that care for and transport people with disabilities.
As of March 31, 2019, there were 2.29 million Blue Badge holders in England.
But since March 2018, there has been a 2.5 per cent decrease.
By the end of March this year, 4.1 per cent of the population held a Blue Badge, compared to 4.2 per cent in 2018.
Commenting on the Blue Badge 2019 statistics released today, Edmund King, AA President, said councils need to do more to tackle the misuse.
He added: "The one fifth increase in fraudulent Blue Badge prosecutions from last year shows that more areas are finally starting to tackle the issue.
"However, it’s shocking that only two thirds of councils have a policy to prosecute those who abuse the system by using another person’s badge.
"Councils without a policy must get their act together for the sake of the millions of Blue Badge holders who genuinely need them.
"Drivers must also show some more humanity and stop abusing the system."
