Thousands of Wiltshire motorists have been fined for contravening disabled parking rules.
More than 8,000 motorists received Penalty Charge Notices under Blue Badge misuse and enforcement rules over a five-year period.
Offences included misuse of a Blue Badge, parking in disabled bays without a valid badge, and displaying an expired badge.
In 2021, 1,620 PCNs were issued. In 2022, 1,152 drivers were fined.
In 2023, 1,196 motorists were given a ticket. In 2024, 1,720 fines were issued.
And in, 2025, PCNs totalled 2,479.
The figures were obtained by Witan Solicitors under a Freedom of Information request.
The firm said Blue Badge misuse is becoming increasingly common.
Qarrar Somji, solicitor-advocate and director of Witan Solicitors, said: "Blue Badge misuse is criminal fraud and deprives others of essential parking.
"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."
Cllr Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for highways, added: “Our enforcement officers regularly patrol council car parks and are authorised to inspect Blue Badges to ensure they are being used correctly.
“We encourage all Blue Badge holders to make sure their badge is valid and clearly displayed on the dashboard, with the details visible through the windscreen whenever it is in use.
"Badges should only be used when the holder is travelling in the vehicle, either as a driver or passenger.
“The Blue Badge scheme plays a vital role in helping people with severe mobility problems access essential services, and these spaces must remain available for those who need them.
"Disabled bays are reserved for vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge, and motorists who park in them without one may be issued with a penalty charge notice and face further enforcement action.
“The council ensures that all penalty charge notices are issued only where there has been a clear breach of a legally established Traffic Regulation Order.
"Enforcement is carried out fairly and transparently, and motorists retain the right to challenge through an independent appeals process.”
