A police officer who fought a life-and-death battle to save a stab victim from bleeding to death in a March street is set to receive a national life-saving honour.

Sergeant Mark Plitsch, who won praise from the doctors who later treated the victim, has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Certificate of commendation and earnt the praise of the Royal Humane Society.

The incident happened in Robin Goodfellows Lane on September 19 last year when Sgt Plitsch was one of the first to arrive at the scene after reports of violence.

He found a man, bleeding heavily from stomach injuries, and applied pressure to the wounds to stem the bleeding and applied a dressing to help with a lung injury.

“Thankfully he was on the scene swiftly and there is no doubt his action helped save this man’s life. He richly deserves the award he is to receive,” said Mr Wilkinson, Royal Humane Society secretary.

The doctor leading the helicopter medical team, that collected the victim and took him to hospital, wrote to Cambridgeshire’s Chief Constable praising the high standard of first aid that was given, he added.

No date has yet been fixed for the award presentation but is expected to take place in the near future.

The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back more than two centuries and is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.

It was founded in 1774 by two of the day’s eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan. Their primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.

However, as it emerged that numerous people were prepared to put their own lives at risk to save others, the awards scheme evolved, and today a variety of awards are made depending on the bravery involved.

The Society also awards non-health care professionals who perform a successful resuscitation.

Since it was set up the Society has considered more than 86,000 cases and made more than 200,000 awards.