NINE Blue Badge cheats have been caught in a clampdown.

The action against people suspected of fraudulently using the permits for disabled people was carried out in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

And it was welcomed by other drivers.

Now council officials are to decide what action could be taken – and the nine offenders could be taken to court.

Some may be given penalty fines or warnings.

Nine cases of suspected misuse were discovered, and all of these related to the use of a blue badge where the blue badge holder was not present.

Using a blue badge in this manner is an offence against the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and can result in a criminal prosecution and a possible maximum fine of £1,000.

The crackdown took place across the two town centres and was carried out jointly by fraud investigators and parking enforcement officers from Kirklees Council.

It was the first joint operation of its kind in Kirklees and officials have pledged more of these will now be carried out across the district.

The objective will be to check that Blue Badges are being used in accordance with the scheme, have not been tampered with, and are not forgeries.

A council spokesman said: “Robust action will be taken against people who defraud the Blue Badge scheme, deprive genuine holders of a parking space and evade payment for parking their cars.

“Around 20,000 Blue Badges have been issued within the Kirklees area to people with permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking.”

Clr Shabir Pandor, Kirklees Cabinet member for Resources, said: “Misusing a badge causes resentment from the public against all Blue Badge holders and puts the whole system under suspicion.

“Such misuse also has a detrimental effect on the people the scheme is meant to help by making it harder for legitimate badge holders to find easier parking to help their disability.

“Officers taking part in this exercise were complimented by members of the public for their actions, but they also said this operation was long overdue.

“We will be carrying out more operations of this nature in the future to ensure that the scheme rules are followed and we won’t hesitate to take action against those whose fraudulent and selfish actions are bringing the whole scheme into disrepute. ”