May 11, 2026
APCOA supports National Blue Badge Week to protect accessible parking
As National Blue Badge Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the misuse of disabled parking permits, APCOA is reaffirming its commitment to protecting accessible parking spaces for those who genuinely need them.
The national campaign supports local authorities in tackling Blue Badge fraud, safeguarding access for disabled motorists and gathering valuable enforcement data. As a leading provider of enforcement services to 22 local authorities across the UK and Ireland, APCOA plays a key role in supporting this effort through proactive patrols and specialist enforcement technology.
The Blue Badge scheme is designed to support the independence and mobility of disabled people, helping them access essential services and participate fully in everyday life. Misuse of a badge not only limits parking availability for legitimate users but also constitutes a criminal offence.
To strengthen enforcement activity, APCOA’s technology team has developed a dedicated Blue Badge App, enabling Civil Enforcement Officers to instantly verify badge details directly with the Department for Transport using handheld devices. The technology helps identify potentially fraudulent or misused badges quickly and efficiently during patrols.
Across just three APCOA contracts with the highest levels of Blue Badge enforcement activity, Civil Enforcement Officers inspected almost 69,000 badges in 2025 as part of routine and enhanced patrols, with nearly 2,000 referred to issuing authorities on suspicion of fraudulent use. These referrals allow local authorities to investigate and prosecute offenders where appropriate, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to Blue Badge misuse and helping deter future fraud.
By combining technology, expertise and collaboration, APCOA continues to support local authorities in ensuring accessible parking spaces remain available for some of the more vulnerable members of the communities in which we work.
National Blue Badge Awareness Week runs from 11th – 15th May 2026
Press contact
APCOA Group Ltd
Lawrence Crew
The Charter Building, Charter Pl, Uxbridge, UB8 1JG
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About APCOA
Active in the fields of parking, charging, technology and urban solutions, APCOA is Europe’s No.1 parking operator. We transform parking infrastructure into an essential part of tomorrow’s sustainable mobility. With our 5,000 employees, we manage more than 1.6 million individual parking spaces at 13,000 locations across 12 European countries.
Our Mission: getting the best out of each and every parking space. For our clients, their customers and their communities. Today and tomorrow.
APCOA manages car parks for owners and investors in all sectors. We cater to each specific need, be it monetary, service-based or both. Wherever possible, we provide easy-to-use charging infrastructure. In doing so, we contribute to advancing e-mobility. From our Traffic Management System to Autonomous Valet Parking – our proprietary technologies are the foundation for both state-of-the-art and tailor-made solutions.
APCOA Urban Solutions bring together multiple useful services in unique ecosystems: Our locations offer themselves as logistics centres for last mile delivery, provide charging spots for EVs, e-scooters and e-bikes or serve as pick-up and drop of points for mobility providers.
And we are committed to growing in innovative and environmentally friendly ways. By bringing parking, sustainable mobility and urban life together, we aim to contribute to a better future. By reducing CO2 emissions, conserving resources and improving the overall quality of life, we want to act as an integral part of the urban ecosystem.
Press contact
APCOA Group Ltd
Lawrence Crew
The Charter Building, Charter Pl, Uxbridge, UB8 1JG
