A "fit and healthy" former Wandsworth policewoman - who died chasing two suspects had a rare heart problem which led to her death, an inquest has heard.

Detective Constable Adele Cashman, 30, had suffered a fatal cardiac dysrhythmia as she pursued the teenage phone thieves in November 2012.

A hearing, held at St Pancras Coroner's Court on Wednesday, March 20, heard how despite receiving CPR for almost an hour, DC Cashman was pronounced dead at the scene in Belsize Park, Camden.

Cardiac dysrhythmia, the inquest heard, is a condition where there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart, causing it to beat too fast or too slow.

It is linked to sudden adult death syndrome, which kills up to 500 people in the UK every year.

Recording a verdict of natural causes, coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "Adele Cashman was a young, healthy serving police officer who had no risk factors which were obvious at the time.

"There was some family history of potential congenital cardiac dysrhythmia.

"The pathologist has concluded this is a death from natural causes due to inherited abnormalities of the electrical components in her heart structure.

"I'm recommending her family undergo screening to make sure they are not similarly affected and I want to convey my deepest condolences to them."

DC Cashman, whose nickname was Del Boy, joined the Metropolitan Police in 2006 and was stationed in Wandsworth as a police constable for four years.

She became a detective constable in 2010 and moved to Camden Police Station.

Chief Superintendent David Chinchen, Wandsworth Borough Commander, said: "DC Cashman was an extremely able and dedicated officer, and her loss has had a significant impact upon a number of staff on the borough who have received the terrible news this morning.

In a further tribute to their fallen comrade officers at Battersea Police Station lowered the MPS flag to half mast.

DC Cashman's brother Adam is running the London Marathon on April 21 in her memory, to raise money for charity Cots For Tots.

For more information or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/Adele-Delboy-Cashers-Cashman.