TWO officers who ensured the RAF homecoming parade through Uxbridge town centre went off without a hitch were presented with awards.

PC Julia Ballard and Inspector Ray Elbourne were given Borough Commander's commendations after their 'professionalism and dedication' ensured 63 Squadron's parade in August remained crime free, and the crowds and roads were kept safe.

TWO PCSOs saved a woman from drowning in a canal during a routine patrol.

On July 27 this year, PCSO Anthony Ladyman and PCSO Gurpreet Saran dived into the Grand Union Canal after hearing a commotion.

It turned out the woman was attempting to commit suicide, and the officers worked together to pull her to safety.

A RECORD 17 officers from Detective Inspectors down to PCs were awarded commendations for an undercover drug investigation.

Operation Themis, launched in late 2007, ran for three months and was a concerted, covert effort to rid the streets of Hayes of drug dealers.

In total, 18 people from Hayes, West Drayton, Uxbridge and surrounding boroughs were convicted.

The officers were commended for their undercover work, much of which was spent in cramped conditions staking out areas for hours at a time.

FOUR teenage boys who tackled burglars were commended by the borough commander, who said he was amazed by their actions.

Joshua Mott, Max Butler, Conor Fane and Jimi Welsh, all attended the ceremony with their families to receive bravery awards.

In April, the 14-year-olds were returning to Jimi's house in Nine Elms Close, Cowley when they noticed a front window pane had been smashed and the door was unlocked.

At the door they were confronted by a burglar, who had taken car keys and jewellery from the house.

The boys managed to detain the thief and keep him in the house while calling the police, who arrived and arrested the man.

Two of the boys told the Gazette how they have ambitions to one day become police officers, so an award from the Borough Commander should come in handy.

Michelle Welsh, Jimi's mother, said: "We are really proud of them. You hear a lot of bad stories about the youth of today, and this goes to show it's not all like that."

EACH year, awards are handed out to officers who have excelled in their fields.

This year, the PC of the Year award went to PC Nitin Aggarwal, who is part of the response team based at Hayes and who can be dispatched to any incident across the borough.

PC Aggarwal's 'confidence and positivity' was described as the reason why he was selected for the award.

Sergeant of the year was awarded to Mark Adams, while Barry Clark was named as Special Constable of the year.

PCSO of the year was PCSO Carl Ford, who works tirelessly in Uxbridge town centre.

Chief inspector Maurice Hartnett said: "Carl epitomises what I'd like to see in a PCSO, and he is always asking for extra shifts. He has become a mentor to other PCSOs."

Sergeant Derek Wheeler was presented with the Community Safety award, for his work in partnership with Brunel University campus security staff.