Tackling Blue Badge fraud

Motorists misusing Blue Badges in East Sussex will be targeted as part of government funded crackdown.

East Sussex County Council, in partnership with Sussex Police, won £183,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government to help free up spaces for disabled drivers.

The money will be used to track down people who are misusing the badges which are issued to disabled people so that they can park more easily, and to raise awareness of how Blue Badges should be used.

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Two Blue Badge Fraud Investigation Officers will be employed and will operate across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove to improve detection and share intelligence. They will work closely with civil enforcement officers to identify hotspots for misuse.

Councillor Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “There are about 24,000 Blue Badges in circulation in East Sussex, designed to provide better and easier access to holders.

“Blue Badge fraud is widespread nationally, not just in the county and it is affecting those genuinely entitled to the benefits of the scheme. The Audit Commission estimates that 20 per cent of Blue Badges are misused and to tackle this level of fraud, we need to introduce more robust enforcement.”

Those caught misusing Blue Badges will face a financial penalty.