Footage from a police body camera revealed today (August 17) the dramatic moments when police in Kingston rescued a man from the River Thames earlier this month.

Officers from Kingston's branch of the Met Police were roundly praised by their colleagues in the London police force for their efforts in saving the man from potentially drowning after he got into difficulties in the water late at night on August 7.

In posts to social media published on Monday, a spokesperson for the Met Police saluted the Kingston police officers involved in the rescue alongside the video that showed their heroic efforts.

"A quick-thinking police officer has been praised for using skills he picked up outside of work to rescue a distressed man from the River Thames.

"Officers were made aware of a man in need of urgent assistance near Portsmouth Road in Kingston at 02:13hrs on Thursday, 6 August.

"With no specialist crews nearby, the officers had to take immediate action to save the man who was struggling to stay afloat," they said.

The quick-thinking police officer they referred to was PC Tom Martis-Jones from the Met’s South West Command Unit, who gained access to a powerboat which was stored at a nearby sailing club in order to conduct the rescue with his colleagues PC Mockett and PC Moore.

"I’m a qualified powerboat driver and have sailed and swam in that part of the river since the age of 12," Martis-Jones said of the rescue.

“It was a high-risk situation which could have turned out very differently. I’d urge anyone who finds themselves struggling in the water to keep calm, lean back and float until help arrives," he added.

The man was treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and went on to make a full recovery.

Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, borough commander for the South West BCU, heaped praise on the three-person team who saved the man from the waters at Kingston:

"This is another example of the risks officers take every day to keep Londoners safe," she said.

"I'm so proud of the officers who responded and their efforts to rescue the man.

"It’s possible this man would have drowned without their quick thinking.”