City of York Council is upholding its commitment to support Blue Badge holders with a new targeted exercise and investigations to stop misuse of the badge or illegal parking in designated spaces.
A significant increase in Blue Badge usage on Toft Green was noted by the Council’s parking enforcement team which raised concerns about possible misuse. The street had recently changed from pay and display parking, to residents’ parking only (ResPark) where Blue Badge holders can park. On 10 July 2025, officers from Veritau (the council’s counter-fraud service provider) and the Council, conducted an operation to help protect legitimate badge holders’ access to accessible parking.
Blue Badges used in cars parked on Toft Green were checked to ensure their use was valid, and no potential instances of misuse were identified.
The council took part in a National Blue Badge Day of Action on 23 May 2025 with Veritau, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council. 75 badges were checked across several locations in York, three potential instances of misuse were identified which are now under investigation.
Following a similar Day of Action on 4 December 2024, three fraud cases were opened and two formal warnings for misuse of a Blue Badge were issued.
Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities, said:
Blue Badge fraud undermines this scheme to offer disabled people easier access to the services and amenities they need. The badge is issued to a person, not a vehicle, and can only be used when the holder is travelling in the car, is being picked up or dropped off. So badge misuse reduces the availability of this parking and unfairly disadvantages those who need it.
“Blue Badge misuse can take many forms: using someone else’s badge without them being present; using a badge that has expired, has been reported lost or stolen, or one that belonged to someone who has died. Offenders face possible prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”
The council will work with Veritau to carry out further planned and unannounced enforcement checks throughout the year.
If you suspect fraud please report it to the council’s counter-fraud team, Veritau, immediately on 0800 9179 247 or counter.fraud@veritau.co.uk.