Steep rise in thefts of blue badges coincides with higher parking fees

 The number of blue badge thefts has risen by 45 per cent in a year as the cost of parking has soared.

Almost 4,250 parking permits for disabled motorists were reported stolen in England in 2017-18, compared with 2,900 the previous year, according to the Department for Transport (DFT).

The new figure is the highest since records began in 2008-9, and a six-fold rise on the 656 reports in 2012-13.

Experts struggled to explain the rise, particularly as the number of badges being issued is falling.

But it coincides with increases in the cost of parking permits and council parking, as hard-pressed local authorities try to plug holes in their budgets. In London, blue badge holders are also exempt from the congestion charge, a concession worth almost £3,000.

Badges have been put up for sale on ebay, and it is believed that many are sold rather than returned when the holder dies.

Martin Tett, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said the permits were a “vital lifeline” for disabled people.

He added: “Callous thieves and unscrupulous fraudsters using them illegally are robbing disabled people of this independence.”

Mr Tett said the 45 per cent increase was alarming and described blue badge theft as “a soaring crime”. He said councils were working hard to tackle the issue and urged people to report people using badges illegally.