Two police officer kept a man who had been shot during the Croydon riots alive long enough for his family to see him before he died.

Sutton PCs Ben Vandepeer and Mark Rudman discovered Trevor Ellis, 26, in a car in the middle of the Croydon riots.

The dad-of-four was bleeding heavily from his wounds and was not breathing, after being shot in the head by suspected looters.

The two officers, who have just five years policing experience between them, took him out of the car and began to perform CPR.

They kep their calm despite being surrounded by rioting.

They got a pulse back and kept Mr Ellis alive until London Ambulance Service arrived to rush him to St George's Hospital.

PC Vandepeer said: "It was quite a scary situation, but we just tried to remember our training and I know we did everything we possibly could for the victim."

PC Vandepeer, 26, secured evidence at the crime scene, helped detain two murder suspects nearby, while PC Rudman, 34, went to hospital with Mr Ellis where a group of 20 distressed people turned up asking to see the injured man.

PC Rudman, who was the only officer a the hospital, reassured them and through them was able to identity the murder victim, and the fact the group of people was his family.

He then arranged for some of them to see Mr Ellis before he died.

Both officers were praised for their actions by senior officers. Doctors said they had given Mr Ellis a fighting chance of survival.

Inspector Stuart Rushworth, from Sutton Police, said: "Ben and Mark dealt with an exceptionally difficult and complex situation."

* Four men, including a 27-year-old in Sutton were arrested on suspicion of murder but have been bailed until September 12 while murder detectives continue their enquiries.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8247 4553, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.