Almost 20 people have been convicted and fined thousands of pounds for misuse of the parking permits, while blue badge abuse reports to Norfolk County Council is on the rise.

The permits, which must be renewed every three years, are supposed to help people with disabilities or health conditions access shops and services by enabling them to park closer.

Parking enforcement officers make sure blue badges in Norfolk are used correctly (Image: Nick Butcher)

But new figures revealed how the number of reports of misuse of the badges has increased, as have the number of times Norfolk County Council has warned people about improper use.

And, over the past two years, 19 people have been convicted for misuse of the badges, with the courts ordering them to pay thousands of pounds in fines.

Up in court for misuse of dead parents' blue badges

Among those prosecuted and convicted by the courts, after probes by Norfolk County Council's blue badge investigations officer, were:

A woman who used her dead mother's badge to park at The Buttlands, in Wells-next-the-Sea, in September........

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