Nottingham City Council has reported a dramatic increase in Blue Badge fraud, with relatives of deceased permit holders accounting for a significant portion of violations. The city has recorded 77 cases of people using dead relatives’ badges since January 2025 – already exceeding 2024’s total of 53 cases with four months remaining in the year.
Bizarre Justifications for Fraud
Council enforcement officers have encountered increasingly creative excuses from violators. Some claimed they used deceased relatives’ badges for “sentimental reasons,” while others believed they had “inherited the badge” along with the family car.
Additional justifications included:
- “I thought I could use it because it was still in date”
- “I need my own badge, so I thought I’d use this one until I sort out mine”
- “Nobody told me I couldn’t”
- “It was only for seven minutes”
- “It was early and there were loads of spaces, so I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong”
Growing Enforcement Challenge
The deceased badge violations represent just one facet of a broader fraud problem. Since 2025 began, Nottingham has identified over 500 Blue Badge misuse cases involving fake badges, stolen permits, expired badges, and revoked authorizations.
Marcus Hall, a parking compliance officer with 20 years of experience, noted that stolen badges – primarily from London – and increasingly sophisticated fake badges sold on Facebook Marketplace contribute significantly to the problem.
“It’s not just the use of it that is taking space away from a legitimate user; it’s taking money away from the public purse,” Hall explained. “Our main focus is on people taking that space away. The vast majority of misuse cases are in disabled spaces in the city.”
Serious Consequences
Violators face substantial penalties including Penalty Charge Notices, vehicle removal, and legal action. Recent prosecutions have resulted in fines exceeding £1,500.
In one March 2025 case, enforcement officers discovered a Ford Fiesta displaying a badge cancelled two years earlier following an 80-year-old Nottingham resident’s death. The driver, the deceased’s son, later described his actions as “selfish and stupid.”
Council’s Zero-Tolerance Stance
Councillor Linda Woodings, executive member for regional development, growth and transport, emphasized the council’s commitment to protecting the Blue Badge scheme’s integrity.
“Our message is simple – if you misuse or abuse a Blue Badge in Nottingham, you will be caught and face legal consequences,” she stated. “Fraudulent use is not only illegal, but selfish and unfair. It directly undermines the whole purpose of the scheme, which is to support people with significant mobility impairments.”
The councillor highlighted how fraud reduces accessible parking availability for genuine users, potentially causing “increased stress, reduced independence and missed appointments or opportunities for disabled people.”
“We make no apology for holding those to account who misuse Blue Badges in our city,” Woodings concluded.
