THE reputation of the police has taken a battering in the wake of Plebgate. How good it is, therefore, to see there are still officers holding up the highest traditions of the service.

PC Tony Morton was on patrol when he saw a desperate woman run out of a house with a baby .

That woman was Ruth Travis: the baby was her one-year-old son Harry. He had suffered a fit after developing a temperature while teething.

Harry’s heart had stopped, his lips were blue and his eyes had rolled back.

Many might have panicked. PC Morton calmly called an ambulance – then started to massage Harry’s chest and breathe into his mouth until paramedics arrived. Without that, Harry may not have survived. As it is, he has made a full recovery.

Like all police officers, PC Morton has experienced dealing with people who are hostile or uncooperative. Watching Harry recover reminded him why he was in the job, he said.

To Ruth he’s a hero. And his boss, Chief Inspector Mark Khan, called him a credit to the force.

So he is. Well done, Tony.