Sometimes something that looks legitimate is not always what it seems.

For example, have look at the clip below were UK police pulled over and booked the driver of an ambulance responder unit.  The public would have perceived this as an incredulous situation!  But, the ambulance turned out to be a bogus unit.

A quick look a the vehicle should have raised suspicion, as the vehicle clearly has no specific ambulance service markings on it, only than the generic word “AMBULANCE” on the front and rear, and the Battenburg pattern hi-viz pattern applied to the exterior of the vehicle, and the blue light bar on the roof.

What the driver of the vehicle expected to achieve by this subterfuge beggars belief! There is no financial reward as a result of this behaviour. Delusions of granduer, perhaps?

However, senior ambulance officers in Britain’s NHS trusts say the ongoing privatisation of ambulance services has meant “sham” crews are able to operate legally. There is nothing illegal in writing “Ambulance” in bold letters across your car or wearing a flashy jumpsuit with “paramedic” emblazoned on it.  The use of blue lights and sirens on public roads would constitute an offence.

John Divall, principal training officer of the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust, who has gathered nationwide reports on paramedic impersonators, said: “The NHS Executive Intelligence Unit are aware of this. They’ve been gathering cases of these Walter Mitty people who seem to want to trade on the prestige of real crews. And there is nothing we can do about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeuJ_6skbF4

The other thing of note here is the quiet professional way the police went about their business.  No throwing the “offender” against the vehicle, no raised voices, no slamming of doors, no behind-the-back handcuffing.  All very quiet and purposeful.

The offender attended caught and was convicted and was fined for his efforts.  I am led to believe that he re-offended, and received a prison sentence.  He has since been at it again. refer to this article.

A very sad affair, with a man with clear mental health issues.  Hopefully whist in prison he may receive treatment for this.