It could soon be illegal to impersonate a paramedic after the Exeter Express and Echo highlighted the issue.

The Government has pledged to introduce new laws against the practice after medical professionals voiced their concerns in the paper.

Health ministers plan to introduce the measures next April – to the delight of Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw who has been campaigning for the change.

He said: “I am extremely pleased and would like to congratulate the Echo for highlighting this issue. I think the travelling public will feel assured by this swift action.”

The issue was brought to light earlier this year when the Echo reported how a 19-year-old man turned up at a series of road accidents posing as a paramedic despite having only completed a four-day first aid course.

The new measures will make it an offence to claim you are a paramedic unless you are registered with the Health Professions Council.

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