Hundreds of thousands of penalties have been handed out in recent years to drivers who misuse Blue Badges around the UK.
Local authorities have started cracking down on motorists who abuse Blue Badges in recent years, with drivers taking advantage of relatives, or even dead people, who once had permits.
More than 3,000 badges have been seized in the last five years, with motorists facing serious consequences if they abuse the permits.
Drivers can be slapped with a £1,000 fine, a criminal record, and have the Blue Badge seized if they are caught misusing it.
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New data shows that 605,166 penalty charge notices have been issued for offences relating to drivers parking in disabled spots without a Blue Badge.
The most common offence was for parking on streets in a designated disabled space without displaying a valid Blue Badge, making up more than 163,000 offences.
Manchester City Council and Leeds City Council both reported more than 39,000 offences, almost 15,000 more than the third-placed council of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole.
Qarrar Somji, Solicitor-advocate and Director of Witan Solicitors, described Blue Badge as "criminal fraud" and depriving those who really need it.
Experts have issued a warning about the extent of Blue Badge fraud
| GETTYHe added: "Using a badge when the holder isn't present, using a lost, stolen, or expired badge, copying or altering a badge, or using a badge belonging to a deceased person intentionally exploits the system.
"Fake and stolen badges are even being sold online to people who aren't eligible. This is a criminal act, and greater awareness of this issue is needed."
The expert also noted that more needed to be done to ensure misinformation around Blue Badges is tackled.
Blue Badges allow disabled drivers to park closer to shops and other services, with millions of permits inside cars across the country.
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More than 605,000 penalty charge notices have been handed out for Blue Badge offences
|PA
Mr Somji said it was "not particularly easy" for those who don't have higher-rate mobility benefits to obtain a Blue Badge since the eligibility criteria requires a "substantial disability".
Drivers in England will pay £10 for their permit, while the permit, which lasts three years, costs £20 in Scotland. Blue Badges are free in Wales.
The expert continued, saying: "Faking a disability or abusing benefits to get a Blue Badge is nearly impossible, and after all, PIP fraud is reported as a non-issue by the DWP.
"We want to encourage people to remember that not every disability is visible, and those who have badges through the proper means really do need them to make their lives easier."
Blue Badge owners are encouraged to check if their parking permit remains valid
| PACouncil areas with the highest levels of Blue Badge misuse
- Manchester City Council - 39,937
- Leeds City Council - 39,461
- Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council - 24,908
- Birmingham City Council - 24,132
- Bradford City Council - 23,092
- Surrey County Council - 22,151
- Leicestershire County Council - 16,049
- Leicester City Council - 15,926
- Nottinghamshire County Council - 15,248
- Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council - 14,891