Fraudsters using the disabled parking passes of deceased people were among those caught out in over 160 investigations carried out by Barnet Council in the past year.

Blue badges are only designated for use by the named badge holder or someone dropping them off and picking them up.

CAFT, the council’s anti-fraud team, has investigated 165 cases of blue badge fraud from intelligence they have received and spot checks carries out.

In 2016, 65 badges were seized from drivers caught using them deceitfully to park for free in controlled parking zones, disabled bays or on yellow lines.

Using a disabled badge fraudulently is a criminal offence and 21 drivers have been brought before magistrates’ court and prosecuted for misuse while another 17 have been hit with a caution.

Many fraudsters were caught using the badge of someone who was not present, others were using badges of deceased people and some badges were found to be forged.

Leader of the council Cllr Richard Cornelius said: “A great deal of work goes into stopping drivers intent on abusing a system of permits which is intended to help people who need them.

“Blue badges are given to residents who are in genuine need, and we will take a firm line on anyone who exploits the system for personal gain.

“This is demonstrated by the number of investigations carried out by our counter fraud team over the course of last year.”

A recent operation in November led to the seizure of four blue badges from drivers parked in the High Barnet area.

One badge was found to have been cancelled while the other three were being used without the badge holder being present.