Met police officers reunited with baby they delivered

Officers reunited
Author: Louise Easton @LouEaston Published 9th Sep 2021

Met Police officers who helped deliver a baby on the streets of Southwark have been reunited with the family.

PC's Mia Kerr and Tom Palmer were on their regular patrol in the south London borough last month (Aug) when they were flagged down by the dad-to-be whose partner had gone into labour in a nearby street.

With the assistance of colleagues, PC Kirsty Roberts and PC Ali Miah, who were called to the scene by the control room and the London Ambulance service who were on the phone, the officers safely delivered the little boy.

PC Roberts actually delivered the baby, untangling the umbilical cord which had become wrapped around the child's neck and PC Kerr used the elastic tie from a medical face mask to tie the cord. The other PC's comforted the family and held up towels for privacy.

They've all described it as a career highlight.

"It was at the same time the scariest and most wonderful experience we ever had"

New mother Martina said: “It was at the same time the scariest and most wonderful experience we ever had.

"The right lovely people happened to be there and we feel incredibly lucky. Their kindness made us so comfortable that I couldn't feel any fear and we honestly have no words to thank them enough.

"Our family will remember them for the rest of our life.”

"A memory to last a lifetime"

All the officers involved say they hope to keep in contact with the family, saying the birth is a memory that will last a lifetime.

PC Kerr, from the Emergency Response Team in Southwark, said:

"This was an overwhelming and incredible experience, being able to help such a beautiful family in their time of need. It was not what I expected when I started my shift that day, but I knew we needed to act quickly for the safety of both mother and baby. In the moment we kept focused on the task at hand so we could support them and help as much as possible."

PC Roberts, also from the Emergency Response Team in Southwark, said:

“This was an unbelievable experience. The team leapt into action without hesitation when they realised what was going on.

"We’re used to dealing with emergencies and the unexpected, but this did take us a little by surprise. It’s been so lovely to see how the family have been getting on. It was a privilege to deliver their baby and it’s something I will never forget.”

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