THE number of people with blue badges is at a record high — sparking calls for a crackdown on cheats chasing perks.
Some 3.07million in England now hold the permit — 5.2 per cent of the population — Department for Transport data shows.
The figure is up eight per cent in a year — with the Press Association reporting more than two-fifths of those issued last year were done so without further checks after rules were widened in 2019 to cover more conditions.
The permits are meant to allow people with disabilities or serious health conditions to park closer to shops and services, often for free.
But the AA says the system is being abused, with one in five badges used by someone other than the holder.
Issues include use by relatives, fakes and resale of stolen badges.
AA president Edmund King said: “The blue badge scheme is a mobility lifeline for millions of legitimate users and their families.
“Our concern is not the absolute number of badges issued but the estimates that up to one in five badges may be used by someone other than the holder or authorised user.
“Fraud is an issue which can include family misuse, use after death, counterfeit badges and theft and resale of badges.
“We would welcome a crackdown on illegitimate use of badges to safeguard the deserving users.”
The Local Government Association also said a “small minority” are abusing the scheme.
The Department for Transport said: “Exploitation and abuse of the blue badge system is completely unacceptable and is a criminal offence.”
