The government has announced proposals intended to strengthen the blue badge scheme and prevent abuse of the system.

Enabling those eligible to park for as long as they require free of charge at on-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines, the blue badges have been in use since 1971.

However, according to transport minister Paul Clark an estimated one in every 200 badges is reported stolen every year.

To address the problem, councils are to be given new powers to confiscate stolen badges in an effort to reduce associated vehicle crime, car insurance customers may be interested to learn.

A £10 million national data sharing system is to be set up by councils to identify stolen badges to prevent misuse.

Mr Clark said that some forged or stolen badges are being sold on the black market for up to £1,500, meaning it is "time to get tough and stop blue badge abuse and vehicle crime".

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