A West Yorkshire Police officer was nominated for a national award after saving a burglary victim who was taken ill after grappling with an intruder.

PC Billy Pringle leapt into action after being called to a burglary in Birstall and seeing the 52-year-old victim battling in the street with one of the three raiders.

PC Pringle arrested the suspect and passed descriptions of his two accomplices to colleagues, who arrested them soon after.

When he returned to the victim he saw that he had become unwell and was clutching his chest. PC Pringle, recognising the symptoms of a possible heart attack, decided not to risk further delays by calling for an ambulance, and drove the man to hospital in his police car, where he received emergency treatment. He was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, but has since made a full recovery.

The officer was nominated for the Outstanding Police Officer title at the BBC 999 Awards for his quick-thinking in saving the man’s life, but just missed out on the national honour.

The incident happened at 6.15pm on December 10 last year at Magnolias, in Birstall.

Acting Chief Inspector Adrian Waugh, of Kirklees Police, said: “PC Pringle’s actions epitomise the type of work that is carried out by police officers across the country day in and day out.

“Here, however, Billy not only arrested the suspect and set his colleagues on the trail of two others, but he then returned to the victim and, on seeing how ill the man had become, took him to hospital himself rather than wait for an ambulance, an act that undoubtedly saved the man’s life.

“Billy fully deserves the recognition that he has received for these acts.”

* A 22-year-old man was jailed for 28 months for burglary, assault and resisting arrest.