A man in cardiac arrest in St Albans city centre yesterday (Wednesday 15 January) was given life-saving CPR by police officers.

A member of the public assisted having called 999 – and PC Ben Kirby from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Intervention PCs Lauren Robinson and Tom Ross, and PC Callum Ellis (who was due in court) raced to Catherine Street at 12.17pm to carry out CPR using one of the city’s defibrillators.

The officers cut the 65-year-old man’s clothes so they could carry out CPR before the ambulance service arrived and they assisted colleagues, who then took the man to hospital for further treatment. 

“As a result of their quick action, they found a pulse shortly afterwards,” said St Albans Chief Inspector Martin Turpin. “He is undergoing further treatment, but I have no doubt that my officers helped save the man’s life yesterday and I am very proud of them.  I’m also grateful to members of the public who alerted us and assisted.”

Catherine Street was closed briefly to allow ambulance access.