Footage from a police helicopter of a Met officer saving a woman from drowning in the Royal Victoria Dock has been released.

The police constable has been praised after jumping into freezing water at the Royal Victoria Dock to save a woman who had fallen in.

“I’m proud of the brave actions of PC Whatling - he undoubtedly saved this woman’s life.”

PC Robin Whatling, a response officer based at Stratford police station, acted without hesitation to rescue the distressed 58-year-old.

Officers had been called at 11.52pm on Monday 26 September 2011 to reports that someone had fallen into the water.

On arrival, they found the woman clinging to a buoy 20 feet out from the side of the dock.

The police helicopter’s night vision camera captured the heroic efforts of PC Whatling.

The footage shows how he quickly swam out to the stranded women, with two heavy lifebuoys around his waist. He then puts one of the lifebuoys over the stranded woman and pulls her back to safety.

The London Ambulance Service was waiting and the woman was taken to Newham General Hospital where she was later discharged.

Pc Whatling, aged 27, said: “When I arrived on scene, my instincts took over. The woman had stopped responding and was showing signs of hypothermia so my first priority was to get her out of the water and to safety.”

Chief Insp Guy Wade said: “I’m proud of the brave actions of PC Whatling - he undoubtedly saved this woman’s life.

“Police officers carry out acts of bravery every day in Newham but what PC Whatling did is certainly not an everyday occurrence.

“PC Whatling, after being checked over, suffered no ill-effects from the cold water. In fact he was back at work the next day, helping to keep Newham safe.”

It is believed the woman fell into the water while trying to retrieve her handbag.

To see the video go to: http://content.met.police.uk/News/Met-officer-saves-woman-from-drowning/1400003432497/1257246745756?scope_id=1257246764237