Amnesty Launched to Tackle Fraud in Bus Passes, Blue Badges, and Parking Permits

Brighton & Hove City Council is launching an amnesty for people to hand in concessionary bus passes, blue badges, or parking permits being used fraudulently. The council is giving people the opportunity to return passes, badges, or permits they shouldn’t be using, no questions asked. Anyone with an out-of-date or misused item can hand it […]

Brighton & Hove City Council is launching an amnesty for people to hand in concessionary bus passes, blue badges, or parking permits being used fraudulently.

The council is giving people the opportunity to return passes, badges, or permits they shouldn’t be using, no questions asked. Anyone with an out-of-date or misused item can hand it in at:

Hove Town Hall letterbox or Brighton Town Hall letterbox

The amnesty runs throughout July and August.

Concessionary bus passes and blue badges are lifelines for thousands of older and disabled residents. However, some people misuse them, impacting those who genuinely need support.

The council’s Fraud Team works to investigate and stop abuse of blue badges, bus passes, and parking permits. In 2023-24, Operation Bluebird with Sussex Police resulted in:

279 blue badges confiscated for misuse

197 community resolution orders

56 prosecutions

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said:

“Concessionary bus passes and blue badges are vital in helping vulnerable people travel and get around the city, but it’s important they’re only used by the people who need them.

“The amnesty is a way of giving people the chance to hand in those old passes, badges and permits that aren’t being used as intended, no questions asked.

“This type of fraud is not a victimless crime. It has a real impact on people who need them the most to get around Brighton & Hove. I’d urge anyone with a pass, badge or permit they shouldn’t have to hand it in or simply destroy it themselves.

“I’d like to thank people for their support and cooperation in making travelling around the city fairer and easier.”