DOZENS of blue badges were confiscated in Hampshire following a fraud crackdown in the county.

Hampshire County Council launched the enforcement action to tackle Blue Badge misuse and fraud in disabled parking areas.

Council staff inspected more than 500 badges in parts of the county including Fareham, Andover, Basingstoke, Aldershot and Farnborough.

They confiscated a total of 49 badges for infringements like using someone else's badge using expired badges and in some cases using a dead person's badge.

In addition to having their badge confiscated offenders also had penalty charge notices and received formal warnings.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, said: “As the issuing authority for Blue Badges in Hampshire, it is important that we take action against people misusing Blue Badges.

“By carrying out enforcement operations such as these, our main objective is to make people aware that Blue Badge misuse is not a victimless crime.”