Probes into Blue Badge fraud and holiday lets using parking permits in York

Investigators have probed the fraudulent use of Blue Badges and residential parking (ResPark) permits in York (Image: Newsquest)

THERE have been 22 probes into the fraudulent use of parking permits including Blue Badges and for holiday lets in York so far in 2026/7, council data shows.

Figures in a City of York Council report showed 12 of the investigations into parking permits related to Blue Badge misuse and 10 were connected with residential parking (ResPark) permits.

Three ResPark permits being used commercially, including by guest houses and holiday lets, were withdrawn, while three of the 22 probed took formal cautions and eight received warning letters.

A report from investigators Veritau said fraud was a significant risk to the public sector and one of the most common types of crime in England and Wales.

It comes as part of an update on efforts to tackle fraud in York since the start of the financial year in April.

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The update went before the council's Audit and Governance Committee on Wednesday, October 21.

Veritau's report stated 192 referrals related to fraud had been made since the start of April to the end of September.

There were 73 cases open and 73 investigations had been completed as of Wednesday, September 30.

The amount saved through counter-fraud efforts totalled £157,795 since April, compared to a target of £200,000 for the whole of the current financial year.

Savings related to housing made up 56 per cent of the total, with those connected with housing benefit accounting for 23 per cent.

Three ResPark permits were found to have been used commercially, including by guest houses and holiday lets (Image: The Key Safe Company)

Social care-related cases made up 17 per cent of savings, compliance two per cent and council tax and support for it two per cent.

Council tax cases totalled 20 of the 73 currently being investigated, with 19 related to support for household levies, parking 10, housing nine and suspected internal fraud five.

Two properties were recovered following housing fraud investigations and were given to families on the council's waiting list, with one Right to Buy application also blocked.

They were among 12 housing fraud investigations completed, which also resulted in one person having their banding downgraded on the housing waiting list to reflect their true circumstances.

Two warning letters were also issued in relation to housing fraud.

Six probes have also been carried out into adult social care fraud which has cost the council around £110,000 so far this year.

The issuing of a formal caution instead of prosecution, a warning and reporting someone to the police were among the outcomes of 14 council tax and business rates fraud probes.

Three fraudulent applications for emergency financial assistance from the council were stopped and one case was referred to the police following eight investigations.

A total of 301 referrals were made to investigators during the whole of 2025/6, with £219,512 saved.

Completed investigations totalled 84, with 79 cases still open by the end of last March.