Use of fake Blue Badges tripled in Nottingham over 2025 – with total court fines doubling to more than £33,000.

Annual figures show a significant rise in fraudulent use of badges during 2025 when compared with the previous year, with enforcement teams taking decisive action to protect the city’s disabled parking spaces for those who genuinely need them.

Across 2025, Nottingham City Council received a 20.4% increase in reports of suspected Blue Badge misuse, set against the same 12 months in 2024.

The rise reflects both a growing problem nationally and stronger local detection driven by targeted enforcement across Nottingham, improved reporting routes and expanded engagement with partners, including private car park operators.

Misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme directly harms disabled people by blocking access to essential services, high‑demand locations and city‑centre facilities.

The council remains committed to ensuring that badges are reserved for those who rely on them most – helping maintain fairness, accessibility and public confidence in the scheme.

Key findings from the 2025 enforcement year were:

• 890 confirmed misuse and abuse cases – a 28.2 per cent rise from 2024
• Deceased badge misuse more than doubled from 53 to 121
• Fake or fraudulent badges tripled from 13 to 40
• Expired badge misuse increased from 312 to 411
• 767 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued for badge‑related contravention – up 22.3 per cent
• 232 badges seized, 699 motorists questioned and 29 Days of Action conducted across the city
• Court fines totalled £33,150 – more than doubling the 2024 figure.

The sharp increase in deceased and fraudulent badge use has prompted a renewed focus on death‑notification processes, verification training and technology to support the identification of forged or altered permits.

The council’s Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) continue to play a crucial role in protecting disabled access.

CEO activity across 2025 resulted in a 33.9 per cent rise in officer‑attributed detections and strong contributions from new recruits, which accounted for 17.5 per cent of all cases identified.

The authority continues to champion robust, but fair, enforcement. CEO teams work within a clear governance framework, supported by enforcement managers, Legal Services and senior directors to ensure cases are investigated proportionately and prosecuted where necessary.

The council’s ongoing priorities include:

• Enhancing training for detecting forged or altered badges
• Increasing hotspot patrols and partnership operations
• Expanding public awareness campaigns and exploring amnesty periods
• Introducing the 2026 Blue Badge Awareness Course, offering educational diversion for first‑time or low‑level misuse cases as an alternative to prosecution

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s really important to be clear that Blue Badge misuse is not a victimless offence.

“When badges are used fraudulently or by those not entitled, it reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who genuinely need them. This can lead to increased stress, reduced independence and missed appointments or opportunities for disabled people.

“Our enforcement officers work tirelessly, often in challenging situations, to protect disabled residents and uphold the integrity of the scheme. The rising figures show both the scale of the problem and our determination to tackle it.

“It’s not only a matter of enforcement but also of equity, accessibility and dignity for legitimate badge holders. We make no apology for holding those to account who misuse blue badges in our city.”

It is a criminal offence for anyone to use a badge they are not entitled to, and doing so could lead to fines, criminal record and confiscation of the badge.

Anyone who suspects a Blue Badge is being misused can call 0115 876 1888, email [email protected] or report it here.