An off-duty bobby stepped in to resuscitate a man who had collapsed on the tube - only to find someone took the opportunity to make off with his bag.

Det Const Ben Lewis was making his way home after clocking off at Bethnal Green Police Station on Wednesday when his train was held up at Bethnal Green tube station.

He went to investigate after seeing members of the public gathering around one of the carriages when he realised a man had collapsed among the commuters.

DC Lewis used his training to give the patient CPR and continued to assist him until paramedics arrived to treat him.

But when he turned around, the bobby realised someone had exploited the situation and taken his grey French Connection satchel after he had placed it to one side.

He said: “Obviously my attention was diverted away from my property during the time that I was giving CPR.

“It may have been stolen, but I hope that my bag has been removed by someone with good intentions and that it will be deposited at a police station or handed in to train station staff.”

The patient, who was taken to the London Chest Hospital nearby, is reportedly in a stable but critical condition.