A TOTAL of 20 people were prosecuted in Bradford for misusing the blue badge system last year, according to new figures. The data, published by the Government, shows that all the prosecutions by Bradford Council in 2017/18 were targeted at a non-badge holder using another person's blue badge.

In addition the Council has revealed that during the same period a total of 40 cautions and 62 warning letters were issued to those believed to be abusing the scheme.

Blue badges give a disabled driver or passenger certain parking concessions, such as the ability to park on yellow lines for up to three hours, or in on-street disabled bays free-of-charge. Local authorities and many private companies also have parking concessions in their car parks for blue badge holders.

The most common type of abuse involves an able-bodied family member using a badge when their disabled relative is not with them - for example, when they are in hospital, school or at home.

Data also shows that 147 replacement badges were issued in the same year, with eight reported online as lost or stolen.

The Council said it would continue to crackdown on those misusing blue badges and that the most serious cases would be prosecuted.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “The Council takes blue badge fraud and misuse very seriously. By bringing prosecutions we are sending out a strong message that we will not tolerate the fraudulent misuse and abuse of these badges.

"People who misuse blue badges are denying those who genuinely need to park close to their destination, because of a disability, the right to do so.

“We follow the guidelines of our policy and only the most serious cases are prosecuted. The Council regularly take part in proactive activity in the city centre and in the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, there were 20 prosecutions, 40 cautions and 62 warning letters issued.

“Lost or stolen badges can be reported missing in one of two ways, either online to Blue Badge Information Service or verbally to the Council. The figure of 147 replacements is a combination of both of the above methods, with 8 being reported online and the remainder reported verbally direct to the Council.”

The figures come as people with hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions, are to become eligible for blue badge parking permits under an overhaul of the system.

From 2019, those with less immediately obvious illnesses will have the same right to a badge allowing them to park closer to their destinations as those with physical disabilities, the Department for Transport said when it was announced.

The badge scheme was launched in 1970 and currently around 2.4 million disabled people in England have one.

The Council confirmed that it was still awaiting details of the new assessment criteria from the Government. It is not expected that the implementation date will be before April 1, 2019, at the earliest.