Supermarkets to be named and shamed for abuse of parking rules at stores this month

Disabled people across Britain have the opportunity to name and shame supermarkets where they suffer a specific type of abuse.

The issue in question has become prevalent in recent years, with cases of fraud, misuse and threatening behaviour increasing by over 1,000 per cent since 2016.

Now a charity is inviting disabled drivers and those they travel with to provide feedback on their experience of flagrant rule breaking when visiting Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl stores between now and the middle of August.

Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) has launched a survey for people to review misuse of disabled parking bays at the six major supermarkets, which are designated for Blue Badge holders only.

Those with permits have been reporting nationwide problems when trying to access these spaces, with drivers without Blue Badges selfishly using bays because they are typically those closest to the store – and then become aggressive when approached by people needing them most.

Statistics show than the Blue Badge scheme itself is being ‘shockingly’ exploited, with permit thefts on the rise and reported instances of abuse growing from hundreds per year to over 3,500 cases by 2023.

DMUK says the findings from its study will be shared with supermarket bosses and made public ‘to raise awareness and help drive positive policy change’.

The charity says supermarkets and operators of their private car parks often lack a commitment to prioritising improvements to accessibility barriers suffered by disabled drivers.

This is despite the fact they are using their wide-ranging resources to chase 14.4million drivers each year for breaking car park rules regarding the duration they stay or how late they return to their vehicles.

Exclusive analysis by This is Money earlier this month found that 40,000 tickets per day worth up to £100 are being issued by these private parking companies – but DMUK says they are fundamentally failing disabled motorists by not enforcing Blue Badge bays at these locations.

This week, it launched its ‘Baywatch’ campaign to highlight the ongoing abuse of disabled parking bays and Blue Badge misuse at supermarkets, calling for greater operator accountability.

With little evidence of enforcement of disabled bays, visitors entitled to use them are sometimes ‘feeling pressured to put their personal safety at risk by challenging disabled bay abuse,’ DMUK said.

A report published in June estimates that for every disabled parking bay in the UK, there are currently 52 permit holders, with many reporting a daily scramble to access the limited spaces available. 

As such, two in five disabled customers have been forced to leave car parks because there were no available suitable spaces. 

More than a third (36 per cent) reported non-badge holders occupying accessible bays, according to a recent Confused.com report. 

According to a report by The Purple Pound, supermarkets lose £501million a month through lack of accessibility for disabled visitors. 

‘Accessible parking bays aren’t just a nice-to-have – they’re a lifeline. Without them, so many disabled people are shut out of everyday life, whether that’s getting to work, buying food, going to appointments, or just being part of their community,’ explains Dr Shani Dhanda, an award-winning disability inclusion and accessibility specialist.

‘When bays are misused or not properly enforced, it sends a really clear message that our access and independence aren’t a priority. 

‘Baywatch matters because it’s not just raising awareness – it’s holding people to account and pushing for real change.’

Shocking abuse experienced by disabled drivers 

Members of DMUK have been sharing their own personal experiences of visiting supermarkets, with tales ranging from the disappointing to downright alarming.

Andy S said he had witnessed a father and adult daughter getting out of a car parked in a disabled bay with no blue badge in the windscreen. 

‘My daughter politely asked if they had forgotten to put the BB on display, the abuse that followed was disgusting,’ he explained. 

‘I then approached the man and received the same. 

‘Security [in the supermarket] witnessed it and did nothing. I thought it was going to get physical [so] I walked away.’

Another male DMUK member detailed the difficulties he struggled during one visit. 

‘I went to a supermarket, which had 25 blue badge bays, all were full, only 10 cars had badges the rest had no badges on display, the supermarket said the car park was policed by a private company. 

‘I had to try parking elsewhere; it caused problems when my wheelchair lift blocked the car park access road.’

DMUK Member, Joyce K explained: ‘I went to the supermarket to go shopping with one of my carers and the disabled bays were all full, there were six bays, only four had blue badges on display.

‘When I confronted one of the drivers I was given abuse and told she would park where she wanted, the lady then walked off to go to cashpoint and other shops, I drove away. 

‘I tried to report it to the store only to be told the car park didn’t belong to them so they couldn’t do anything about it.’ 

Mary T detailed a very similar scenarios at a supermarket. 

‘I witnessed disabled bays being used by Uber/cab drivers as pick-up spots, plus a staff member eating his lunch in a car with no blue badge. I spoke to a person who identified as a supervisor and was rudely told he didn’t care… I emailed the supermarket Customer Relations which was not replied too,’ she said.

Misuse of Blue Badge scheme is rife 

In May, the British Parking Association (BPA) – the body representing private parking operators – said it is witnessing startlingly high instances of misuse and fraud by dishonest motorists who are ‘undermining the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme’ and making ‘day to day life more difficult for those who genuinely need it’.

It also highlighted that the number of blue badges stolen in London alone increased by 400 per cent between 2014 and 2023, with the victims of this crime being those that rely on accessible parking in order carry out vital everyday activities.

The BPA is now calling on local authorities and councils to be given greater ability and mechanisms to effectively tackle the issue and put a stop to this ongoing abuse.

‘Perpetrators are currently not deterred by the limited consequences for their action,’ the trade body said.

The association has called on the Government to review the civil and criminal powers and resources available to tackle the problem, including consideration for introduction of penalty charges commensurate with the social impact of Blue Badge misuse.

This is Money raised the statistics with the Department for Transport.

A DfT spokesperson said: ‘Exploitation of the Blue Badge scheme is completely unacceptable – it is a vital resource helping many people travel with confidence.

‘We are supporting the police to tackle this issue by working closely with local authorities and have strengthened their powers to help them tackle fraud and misuse.’

Participants who complete the Baywatch survey between 21 July and 15 August will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two £50 M&S gift cards and are encouraged to complete the survey multiple times during the campaign. A link to the survey can be found here